David Johnson, MD, is a professor of medicine and chief of gastroenterology at the Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk. Dr. Johnson discussed what gastroenterologists should tell their patients about modifiable risk factors for colon cancer in Medscape.
Here are three things to know.
1. Dr. Johnson tells patients that smoking is on par with having a first-degree relative with colon cancer in terms of risk, and advises patients to stop smoking.
2. Providers and patients should follow the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendations for low-dose aspirin for primary prevention.
3. In terms of diet, Dr. Johnson believes providers should advise vitamin D supplementation. Providers can advise patients to limit their red meat intake, but the evidence is not strong there. Overweight patients can reduce their risk by losing weight, and minimizing alcohol intake is beneficial.
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