Being healthy is the goal, but it is not the end goal.
Many of us always assumed that being in better health means we are less susceptible to certain diseases.
Imagine you fulfilled all of these habits:
- Regular exercise / physical engagement
- Regular well-balanced diet consumption
- Maintained hydration levels
- Less on highly-processed meals or goods
- No liquor
- No cigarettes
- Consistent quality rest
All of them are checked. Great, you’ve passed everything perfectly.
Good habits. Better health. Best outcome.
However, this doesn’t guarantee that you are immune to getting serious illnesses.
One example of this complicated situation is the testimonies of the people who are diagnosed with colon cancer.
Although most cancers are caused by our unhealthy habits, having colon cancer makes the story even more chaotic to understand.
As we aim to understand what happened, getting informed is a crucial step to ensure that health itself is a delicate matter to discuss.
Let’s feature the story of Maria Kang, a 46-year-old fit mom who says that her perspective about being healthy was shaped because of a colon cancer diagnosis.
Who is Maria Kang?
Maria Kang is a 46-year-old internet sensation whose career revolves around health and fitness.
Thus, she earned the moniker “No Excuse Mom” in 2013 due to her sculpted physique, despite having three kids.
In November 2023, she was diagnosed with Stage 4 Colon Cancer.
That realization turned her world upside down when she questioned her whole healthy routine.
However, her journey with colon cancer changed her perspective about being “healthy,” as she emphasized in an interview.
She once said in an interview that she looked healthy, but she isn’t actually healthy.
Through her humbling experience with colon cancer, she was able to rebuild her routine and focus on “being” healthy.
The Awkward Feature of Colon Cancer
Among the types of cancer ever discovered, colon cancer doesn’t always have a criterion.
In the past decades, colon cancer affected most of the older adults.
But recent trends confirmed that even the younger generations are also suffering from colon cancer.
Aside from age, the rise of colon cancer is also contributed to by the following factors:
- Dietary habits
- Gut microbiome condition
- Environment
- Genetics
- Lifestyle
However, there could be more factors than those listed above.
Colon cancer’s awkward feature doesn’t excuse the healthiest people.
Other people may have experienced the other symptoms, either unaware or haven’t yet consulted a health professional.
Where Does Colon Cancer Begin?
Colon cancer often develops in the large intestine, first starting as polyps with small growths.
Polyps can be either harmless, but some may develop into cancer over time.
When diagnosed early, colon cancer is highly treatable.
Through early routine screening, doctors can effectively identify and remove polyps that eventually become malignant.
Currently, only early screening or diagnosis can help lessen or treat the polyps, which can reduce or discourage the development of colon cancer.
Health Habits Powerless Against Colon Cancer?
Healthy habits are the essential support of a healthy body.
Some of these habits are effective in reducing our risk of getting numerous diseases.
Such healthy habits are:
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Regular exercise
- Balanced nutrition
- Strengthening the immune system.
But remember.
Nowhere does it say that these habits can eliminate the risk of getting cancer, but only through reduction.
Imagine these healthy habits like a motorcycle helmet.
A helmet secures your head from danger, but it cannot fully predict or prevent getting injured.
The same thing applies to why these healthy habits are still essential.
It may not fully eliminate the threat of developing diseases, but it can protect your body from being vulnerable.
That’s the same thing with our health.
Healthy habits only support our wellness.
But that doesn’t mean we can be immune to any diseases.
If humans evolve, so do the diseases around us.
Colon cancer is one of them, with its volatile nature and unpleasant symptoms.
Be Attentive to Your Body
Most of us are already warned by our bodies.
It gives us the clues we want to listen to when something feels wrong.
However, most of us easily shrug off these warnings or are too busy not to care about our health at all.
Next time, be aware of these symptoms.
When you have them, it means you need to call for a doctor’s appointment right away.
Some of these symptoms are:
- Unexplained weight loss
- Lasting fatigue
- Bowel movement changes
- Persistent abdominal problem
- Blood in the stool
- Feeling of unresolved defecation
These symptoms don’t immediately mean you have colon cancer.
It only suggests that your body is feeling discomfort.
Health Screening is a Life-Saver
A consultation from a health professional or an early screening is one way to save one’s life from the risk of colon cancer.
Health professionals now have effective screening tools for colon cancer.
In the US alone, adults are encouraged to undergo a colon cancer screening at the age of 45.
Through this, people are evaluated through the family’s medical history screening, identify possible inherited conditions, and other colon cancer risk factors.
Doctors can use several screening options available, such as stool-based tests and colonoscopy.
However, the doctor can only use certain screening tools depending on your medical history.
Strengthening Mental Health
Having cancer in general is not just costly; it’s discouraging.
For instance, cancer patients (not just those who have colon cancer) have to accept the reality of having the disease.
Cancer can also affect a person’s mental health.
The thought of having cancer can cause:
- Emotional damage
- Overthinking
- Exhaustion
- Developing fears of uncertainties
- Voluntary isolation
A person’s mental health is too delicate.
Not everyone has the same strength to fight for their disease or is confident enough that they can overcome it.
Cancer patients can join support groups, build trust with counselors, or emphasize asking for assistance from others.
These things do not have a direct impact on reducing colon cancer, but it helps so much in the person’s morale to battle cancer.
Instead of facing cancer alone, these support groups can encourage cancer patients to fight.
Daily Habits for a Healthy Colon
Having a healthy colon is not an easy task.
No healthy habits can completely prevent you from having colon cancer.
However, you must also be mindful of the following:
- Eat well-balanced meals, but know your food triggers.
- Drink enough water.
- No smoking, alcohol, or sugary beverages.
- Exercise daily to keep your body active.
- Prioritize consuming fiber-rich foods for a healthy gut.
- Schedule medical checkups / early consultation.
The first five tips are essential to achieve a regular bowel movement, ensuring that your colon is healthy and clean.
While the last tip is to secure your wellness and provide better treatment or body maintenance if necessary.
Cancer is Not the Only Enemy
Cancer-related stories teach us something about the complicated reality of life.
This is beyond medicine, experience, and dedication to being healthy.
We may realize that looking healthy is not the same as being healthy.
But in those numerous cancer patients’ perspectives, you may realize that cancer is not the only enemy.
You also have to face the following enemies:
- Yourself
- Your willingness
- Your effort
- Your lifestyle
- Your habits
- Your choices
All of them fill the testament of each person’s stories.
They are telling us to pursue a healthy life through healthy habits and choices.
Lifestyle Dictates Wellness
What Maria “Fit Mom” Kang and other cancer patients told us is to take care of our health by choosing what’s healthy.
Our lifestyle choices have consequences.
But with the volatile nature of diseases like colon cancer, most of us have to rethink whether we are being healthy or looking healthy.
Being healthy is not about choosing the costly products, the perfect meals, or a gym premium membership.
It must come with the intent of assuring that your body is active, nourished, well-attended, and able to rest sufficiently.
Although there is no perfect formula for being healthy, maintaining a healthy lifestyle affects your overall wellness.
With or without having colon cancer, it’s no excuse to be complacent.
Let’s live healthily and learn from the sad experiences of the patients who undergo the suffering of having a condition.