While you are still young, you can help prevent colorectal cancer from ever developing as you age. Reduce your intake of red meat by two servings per week. Eat a low fat diet high in fruits and vegetables. While recent research has found that fruits and vegetables may not prevent colorectal cancer, a diet rich in fruits and vegetables provides overall health benefits and is still recommended. A single study can not provide conclusive evidence about the value of fruits and vegetables to colorectal cancer prevention.
More research needs to be completed before a definitive answer can be found.
Eat foods rich in folate such as leafy green vegetables and breakfast cereals. While screening tests can help prevent colorectal cancer, they can also detect the disease in its earliest, most curable stages. Although these tests are generally recommended for adults ages 50 and older, if you have a personal or family history of colorectal cancer, benign colorectal polyps or inflammatory bowel disease, earlier screenings may be appropriate. Polyp-related colorectal cancer can be prevented by removing the polyps from the lining of the colon and rectum. This is a simple chemical test that can detect hidden blood in the stool.