Do you know what the second leading cause of cancer is in the U.S.? Colon cancer. Despite this fact, the number of screenings done to check for this cancer remain quite low. Colonoscopy can usually detect cancer at the early stages, thus saving the lives of many patients. Still, for one reason or another, about half of the amount of people who should be screened never undergo this process.

This may be due to a few reasons, chief among them being a lack of education on the disease. For one, many people think that colon cancer primarily strikes only men. Not true. The number of cases of colon cancer is almost equal among men and women. Second, not everyone is familiar with some of the signs and symptoms. Chronic diarrhea, blood in the stool, frequent stomach discomfort, and unusual changes in bowel habits are all indications that something may be amiss.

To help prevent the onset of this form of cancer, be on the lookout for any of the aforementioned symptoms and engage in a regular exercise program. Research has shown that walking for 60 minutes a day may decrease prostaglandin E2 levels -- a substance associated with colorectal cancer. Also, avoid smoking, and try to eat a diet rich in whole grains, fruits and vegetables, and keep your fat intake to a minimum.