Five foods that prevent colon cancer Published Feb. 25, 2011 By Shari Lopatin TriWest Healthcare Alliance GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month. However, instead of providing the same boring facts about colon cancer awareness, below are the top five foods that help prevent this disease. Remember, the American Cancer Society (ACS) lists colon cancer as the third most common cancer in American men and women. 1. Dairy products (such as yogurt or milk): According to the ACS, several studies have shown that foods high in calcium may help reduce the risk of colon cancer. Dairy products are some of the best sources of calcium. 2. Broccoli and cauliflower: These veggies belong to a food group called "cruciferous vegetables," which are part of the cabbage family. The ACS says these foods contain certain compounds that may reduce the risk of cancer in general, including colon. 3. Spinach or asparagus: The American Dietetic Association (ADA) says that spinach and asparagus contain high amounts of folate. Too little folate, according to the ACS, may increase the risk of colon cancer. So stock up! 4. Whole-grain breads and pasta: Whole-grain foods are high in fiber, which helps food move faster though the digestive track, says the ADA. High-fiber foods also have many antioxidants, which help protect against several cancers, one of them colon. 5. Strawberries: Strawberries are packed with fiber, vitamin C and folate--all nutrients that both the ADA and ACS say help reduce the risk of colon cancer. They make a great breakfast or snack fruit, too. Don't forget--get screened! Experts agree that one of the best ways to survive colon cancer is to find it early--through screening. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend a screening test called a colonoscopy only once every 10 years, after age 50. Therefore, TRICARE covers one colonoscopy every 10 years for beneficiaries ages 50 years and older. For more information, visit http://www.triwest.com/colon.