Fact: Every one in 16 women are expected to develop Colorectal Cancer (CRC) during her lifetime.

What it does: The colon is the large intestine, which is broken up into six parts that work synergistically to absorb water and minerals, and to form and eliminate waste from the body. Muscles and healthy bacteria line the colon’s walls, squeezing its contents along to maintain a healthy balance within the body.

It’s biggest threat: Colon cancer is also known as colorectal cancer (CRC), bowel cancer, and rectal cancer. Luckily, timely removal of these polyps (easily done during a colonoscopy) can prevent cancer from developing. Though the sobering news is that nearly half of those diagnosed find out too late.

Why you’re at risk: Having a history of inflammatory bowel diseases, or previously diagnosed with polyps or early stage colon cancer puts you at a higher risk.

Keep it healthy: Plain and simple: focus on nutrition. If you are prone to digestive issues, eat more high-fiber foods (think lentils, fruits and vegetables) to promote better bowel movements. Eat less red meat as research has linked high red meat consumption to a higher risk of CRC. And increase your intake of yogurt and fermented foods, or consider taking a probiotic supplement. A 2013 study found that people with colon cancer have less variety of different bacteria in their gut than healthy people.