It's March! While some people think of basketball, and others think of spring break, I think of colon cancer awareness. There is not enough talk about colon cancer. It’s truly a shame because it’s the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the US for men and women, and it is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer (excluding skin cancer).
Let’s start with the basics: The colon is the large intestine and is part of the gastrointestinal tract. You have a small intestine too! But today, we are talking large.
Colon cancer arises from polyps which are growths that can form in the lining of the intestine. There are several screening tests for colon cancer including radiological studies such as CT colonography, endoscopic procedures, and stool-based tests that look for blood and or altered DNA. But like anything in life...no pain, no gain. Polyps can only be removed during a colonoscopy, which means you can’t get out of drinking the infamous prep (laxative to clean out the stool in your colon, prior to having a colonoscopy). Thankfully there are newer preps that are better tolerated.
The majority of colon cancers can be prevented with proper screening and removal of polyps. Average risk screening for colon cancer has generally started at 50 years old (45 years old for African Americans). However, the American Cancer Society is now recommending that average risk screening for colon cancer start at 45 years old. Unfortunately, most insurance companies have not changed their policies to cover an earlier screening test.
I do want to mention that some people need a colonoscopy earlier than 45 or 50 years old, depending on their family history or if they have certain symptoms.
Only 50% of people who should be having a screening test, get it done. This is a tragedy, because colon cancer CAN be prevented and CAN be cured if found early. That’s why it’s my mission, to bring more awareness to colon cancer screening. Talk to your doctor about getting a colonoscopy. And try your best to get...you know who...in your family...to schedule their procedure. No more ifs, ands...only BUTTS!
References and for more information:
Screenforcoloncancer.org