Screenings Key to Colorectal Prevent Cancer
March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Not including skin cancer, colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer deaths in American men and women combined.
Unfortunately, according to the American Cancer Society, about one in three people in the U.S. who should get tested for colorectal cancer have never been screened. It can be an uncomfortable topic to discuss, but it’s important to talk to your loved ones about colorectal cancer and the importance of getting screened.
Some modifiable lifestyle factors can increase the risk of developing colorectal cancer, including:
Diets high in meat and low in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
•Excessive drinking
•Obesity
•Physical inactivity
•Smoking
Other uncontrollable factors, such as having a strong family or personal history of colon cancer, rectal cancer and adenomatous polyps, may also put someone at greater risk.
In most cases, colorectal cancer can occur in adults without any detectable symptoms, making expert diagnoses even more critical to your health and wellbeing. Nevertheless,
there are some symptoms or warning signs of colorectal cancer that every adult should know:
Bright red, black, or tarry blood in stool
Consistent fatigue feelings
Constipation, diarrhea, or a feeling of having an unemptied bowel
Discomfort in the abdominal area, including:
•Bloating
•Cramps
•Frequent gas pains
•Unexpected weight loss
•Unusually narrow stools
“Colorectal cancer typically has no symptoms until the disease has progressed and is much more difficult to treat,” said Dr. Chad Kawa, gastroenterologist at Mountain View Hospital. “If stage one colorectal cancer is caught early, it has a 90 percent survival rate after five years. Colonoscopy has been shown to be a highly effective way to both screen for cancer and reduce the incidence of colorectal cancer. It’s important for everyone to understand the benefits of preventative screening and to have screening tests done at an appropriate age.”
Sarah Cannon, the Cancer Institute of HCA Healthcare, and other organizations, including the American Cancer Society, recommend
screening for men and women with average risks, as early as 45 years old with either a:
Flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years
Colonoscopy every 10 years
Colorectal screening is considered a free preventive measure under most insurance providers and is typically
covered at no cost to the patient. Come learn more about screening, prevention, and treatment of colorectal cancer from Dr. Kawa at MountainStar Healthcare’s free Healthy Conversations event on March 9, 5:30 p.m. Details can be found at healthyutahcounty. com.