Colon Cancer - What Do We Know?
http://www.pcwomensjournal.com/articles/14/1/Colon-Cancer---What-Do-We-Know/Page1.html
Raetta Fountain
Raetta B. Fountain, MD. Atlantic Gastroenterology, PA. 2465 Emerald Place, Greenville, NC 27834. 252-758-2424. Visit us on the web at www.atlanticgastro.orgBy Raetta Fountain
Published on 07/12/2011
Colon Cancer is Preventable with Regular Checkups
As most of you have heard by now, Tony Snow, former White House Press Secretary and well known journalist recently lost his life to colon cancer at the age of 54. Mr. Snow was diagnosed 3 years ago with the disease.
While the details of his illness are not known, the facts about colon cancer are well known.
What do we know about colon cancer? We know that 150,000 people in the United States will be given this diagnosis this year. Colon cancer will claim the lives of 50,000 people making it the number two cause of cancer deaths. We know that colon cancer is preventable.
How do you prevent colon cancer? We do this with timely screening in individuals who are at risk. The biggest risk factor for colon cancer is age. Ninety percent of colon cancer is diagnosed after the age of 50. Age 50 is when we start to see polyps forming in the colon. Polyps left in the colon can potentially grow and develop into cancers. We know that if we remove polyps we can prevent this from occurring. We know that family history is another important risk factor for colon cancer. Having a first degree relative such as a parent, sibling or child with colon cancer increases your risk of developing the disease. You are also at increased risk if you have more than 2 second degree relatives with colon cancer; such as aunts, uncles, cousins or grandparents. If you have a family history you should seek screening at a younger age.
We recommend that you have a colonoscopy 10 years prior to the age the diagnosis was made in the youngest person in your family. Although family history is important, 75% of people who develop colon cancer have no family history. We know that colon polyps can reoccur. Personal history of colon polyps is another risk factor. If you have had a colonoscopy in the past and been told you had polyps it is very important that you have routine follow up exams to check for recurrent polyp growth. This should occur every three to five years depending on the number and type of polyps that were removed. We know that lifestyle plays a role in the risk of developing colon cancer. High fat diet, smoking, excessive alcohol and a sedentary lifestyle are all felt to increase ones risk.
We know that colon cancer if detected early has a 90% cure rate. Patients should seek medical attention at the onset of symptoms. These include change in bowel habits, rectal bleeding, abdominal pain or bloating, constipation, and anemia or low blood count. A colonoscopy is performed as part of the evaluation. Colonoscopy is a procedure that involves examining the inside of the large intestine with a light. It is performed in an outpatient setting. Prior to the procedure bowel prep is administered to the patient. The patient undergoes light sedation with intravenous medications. The physician performs the test and removes any polyps that are detected. The procedure usually lasts 20-30 minutes. Afterward the patient recovers and is discharged home with a driver. Normal activity resumes the following day. You can prevent colon cancer.
See your doctor for routine check-ups. Request a colonoscopy beginning at the age of 50. Notify your doctor if you have any changes in your bowel habits or notice blood in your stool. www.atlanticgastro.org
While the details of his illness are not known, the facts about colon cancer are well known.
What do we know about colon cancer? We know that 150,000 people in the United States will be given this diagnosis this year. Colon cancer will claim the lives of 50,000 people making it the number two cause of cancer deaths. We know that colon cancer is preventable.
How do you prevent colon cancer? We do this with timely screening in individuals who are at risk. The biggest risk factor for colon cancer is age. Ninety percent of colon cancer is diagnosed after the age of 50. Age 50 is when we start to see polyps forming in the colon. Polyps left in the colon can potentially grow and develop into cancers. We know that if we remove polyps we can prevent this from occurring. We know that family history is another important risk factor for colon cancer. Having a first degree relative such as a parent, sibling or child with colon cancer increases your risk of developing the disease. You are also at increased risk if you have more than 2 second degree relatives with colon cancer; such as aunts, uncles, cousins or grandparents. If you have a family history you should seek screening at a younger age.
We recommend that you have a colonoscopy 10 years prior to the age the diagnosis was made in the youngest person in your family. Although family history is important, 75% of people who develop colon cancer have no family history. We know that colon polyps can reoccur. Personal history of colon polyps is another risk factor. If you have had a colonoscopy in the past and been told you had polyps it is very important that you have routine follow up exams to check for recurrent polyp growth. This should occur every three to five years depending on the number and type of polyps that were removed. We know that lifestyle plays a role in the risk of developing colon cancer. High fat diet, smoking, excessive alcohol and a sedentary lifestyle are all felt to increase ones risk.
We know that colon cancer if detected early has a 90% cure rate. Patients should seek medical attention at the onset of symptoms. These include change in bowel habits, rectal bleeding, abdominal pain or bloating, constipation, and anemia or low blood count. A colonoscopy is performed as part of the evaluation. Colonoscopy is a procedure that involves examining the inside of the large intestine with a light. It is performed in an outpatient setting. Prior to the procedure bowel prep is administered to the patient. The patient undergoes light sedation with intravenous medications. The physician performs the test and removes any polyps that are detected. The procedure usually lasts 20-30 minutes. Afterward the patient recovers and is discharged home with a driver. Normal activity resumes the following day. You can prevent colon cancer.
See your doctor for routine check-ups. Request a colonoscopy beginning at the age of 50. Notify your doctor if you have any changes in your bowel habits or notice blood in your stool. www.atlanticgastro.org