Aside from colonoscopy and other colon cancer screening, healthy diet, and exercise are important steps in preventing colon cancer.

According to the American Cancer Society, eating healthy diet and getting plenty of exercise are vital steps you can take to prevent colorectal cancer (along with regular screening for the disease).  The organization's recommendations include:

1. Eat a variety of healthful foods, with an emphasis on plant sources.

• Eat five or more servings of a variety of vegetables and fruits each day.
• Include vegetables and fruits at every meal and for snacks.
• Eat a variety of vegetables and fruits.
• Limit French fries, snack chips, and other fried vegetable products.
• Choose 100% juice if you drink fruit or vegetable juices.
• Choose whole grains in preference to processed (refined) grains and sugars.
• Choose whole grain rice, bread, pasta, and cereals.
• Limit consumption of refined carbohydrates, including pastries, sweetened cereals, soft drinks, and sugars.
• Limit consumption of red meats, especially those high in fat and those which are processed.
• Choose fish, poultry, or beans as an alternative to beef, pork, or lamb.
• When you eat meat, select lean cuts and have smaller portions.
• Prepare meat by baking, broiling, or poaching rather than by frying or charbroiling.
• Choose foods that help you maintain a healthy weight.
• When you eat away from home, choose foods that are low in fat, calories, and sugar, and avoid large portion sizes.
• Eat smaller portions of high-calorie foods. Be aware that "low-fat" or "nonfat" does not mean "low-calorie," and that low-fat cakes, cookies, and similar foods are often high in calories.
• Substitute vegetables, fruits, and other low-calorie foods for calorie-dense foods such as French fries, cheeseburgers, pizza, ice cream, doughnuts, and other sweets.

2. Adopt a physically active lifestyle.

• Adults: engage in at least moderate activity for 30 minutes or more on five or more days of the week; 45 minutes or more of moderate-to-vigorous activity on five or more days per week may further enhance reductions in the risk of breast and colon cancer.
• Children and adolescents: engage in at least 60 minutes per day of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity for at least five days per week.

3. Maintain a healthy weight throughout life.

• Balance caloric intake with physical activity.
• Lose weight if currently overweight or obese.

4. If you drink alcoholic beverages, limit consumption.

The American Cancer Society provides additional information on preventing colon cancer on its website.