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Screening helps prevent Deaths from Colon Cancer
Dr. Fadi Diab
American Boards of Internal
Medicine & Gastroenterology

Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer killer in the United States, causing an estimated 55,000 deaths each year. Only lung cancer claims more lives. More than 131,000 new cases of colorectal Cancer are diagnosed each year. Each married couple has a 1 in 10 chance that either the husband or wife will develop colorectal cancer in their lifetime.
Most Colon cancers arise from polyps, growths on the wall of the colon that Can become cancerous over time. If polyps are identified at an early stage, frequently they can be removed before they become cancerous. A recent study in the New, England Journal of Medicine found that more than 90% of deaths associated with colorectal Cancer could be avoided through early detection and removal of premalignant polyps.

Highly Preventable Using simple tests, which can remove growths before they become cancerous.

RISK FACTORS:
Women are just as likely as men to develop colorectal cancer. Colorectal Cancer is most common after the age of 50, but colorectal cancer can strike at much younger ages and the chance of Colon Cancer increases after age of 40.
Close relatives of a person who has had polyps or colorectal cancer before the age of 60. or persons with one of several chronic digestive conditions, like Ulcerative Colitis or Crohn's Disease, have a higher than average risk of developing colorectal cancer

Largely Curable when detected early

SYMPTOMS:
Most early Cancers produce NO SYMPTOMS! This is why screening for colorectal Cancer is so important. Some possible symptoms, listed below, certainly do not always indicate the presence of colorectal Cancer, but should prompt a visit with your doctor and a check-up:

-New Onset of abdominal pain
-Blood in or on the stool
-A change in typical bowel habits, constipation. Diarrhea
-A change in stool caliber or shape

SCREENING RECOMMENDATIONS
The potential complications of colorectal cancer can be minimized with the simple step of regular screening. Key components of a screening program for every man or woman over the age of 50 include
-An annual fecal occult blood test which checks for microscopic traces of blood in the stool.
-A flexible Sigmoidoscopy every 5 years to detect colorectal cancer at its earliest and most treatable stage .
-In recent year’s, colonoscopy every 7 to 10 year’s for average risk patients has gained increasing acceptance as another screening alternative, and is now endorsed by the American Cancer Society as an option for average risk individuals.
-Colonoscopy is recommended for individuals of any age who are at higher than average risk for developing colorectal cancer by virtue of prior history of colon cancer or adenomatous polyps. or predisposing chronic digestive conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease. Frequency of colonoscopy varies for different subsets of high risk patients, and they should consult with their physician.

What's stopping you?colon cancer screening could save your life or the life of someone you love

Summary

Colon cancer strikes as hard in both women and men
Colon cancer screening could save your life
Research shows that removing pre-cancerous growths in the colon can lower the risk that you’ll be a casualty of colon cancer by more than 95%
You start screening at age 50