How to identify and deal with Colon Cancer

Hello, I am Dr. Grace Elta president of the American Society for the Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. The ASGE represents 10,000 physicians dedicated to improving digestive health through excellence in endoscopy, raised an awareness among patients about digestive diseases including colorectal cancer is one of our highest priorities.

In the following video you will see myths about colorectal cancer and hear from one of our ASGE experts the true facts about colorectal cancer. Please listen carefully to the video. We want you to remember that colorectal cancer is preventable, treatable and beatable.

Colorectal cancer often referred to as colon cancer is the second leading cancer killer among men and women in the US. According to the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, it is largely preventable with regular screening and is curable with early detection. Each year, more than 150,000 people are diagnosed with colon cancer in the US and over 50,000 people died from it annually. Let us explore some myths about colon cancer and the facts you need to know.

Is colon cancer only a man’s disease? Yeah I think it is mostly man, then you get it.

Colon cancer affects both men and women. In fact, about 26, 000 women in this country died of colon cancer every year. It does not discriminate against your gender or your waste but your age is the single most important risk factor for developing colorectal cancer. So, both men and women should be screened for colorectal cancer starting at age 50. Most insurance companies will cover the cost of the screening colonoscopy. If you are 65 years of age or older, Medicare will cover the costs of the procedure and often you do not even need a fall to have the procedure done.

Do you think it is important to get screened for colon cancer if you have regular bowel movements and you are feeling okay?

Well, as opposed, you wanted really to be fussy will go but I do not go anywhere unless I am not, if I am feeling fine I stay away from all the medics. So, I do not want to go if I do not have a problem.

Colon cancer is a silent killer. The usual bearing is no symptoms to rely on and when there are symptoms, the cancer may be at an advance stage. When caught early, however most patients are cured but when colon cancer is detected at later stages, the chances of cure are very low. There are some warning signs that may indicate colon cancer and they include things like bloody smear stool, change in the caliper or the narrowness of your stools, unexplained abdominal pain, a change in the bowel patterns, unexplained anemia or weight loss which can not be explained. These symptoms may be cause by many benign conditions such as hemorrhoids which can cause bleeding, inflammation of the colon or even irritable bowel syndrome which is quite common. However, if you have any of these symptoms, you should be evaluated by your doctor.

Is there anything you can do to change your risk of colon cancer? There are certain behaviors that can increase or decrease your risk of colorectal cancer. Activities that can increase your risk include consuming a high fat diet, smoking and using alcohol in excess. You can decrease your risk of colon cancer when maintaining a regular exercise program and participating in a healthy balanced diet containing certain vitamins and minerals. But there is no substitution for getting screened.

Starting at age 50, everyone should have a colonoscopy to screen for colon cancer regardless of your lifestyle. A colonoscopy allows for the detection and the removal of benign polyps before they become a colon cancer. Some individuals with the family history of colon cancer or certain GI diseases may be at increased risk for colon cancer before the age of 50. Those people should discuss this with their doctor and possibly had screening early at the age of 50.

If someone has been diagnosed with colon cancer, do you think it is too late for them to do anything about it? I think so, I have not heard of any cures for colon cancer.

Actually, colon cancer is a preventable and a highly treatable cancer when it is caught at an early stage. A recent study by leading cancer groups showed nearly 5% decline in colorectal cancer deaths in this country. And the key factor in the decline was prevention through screening and removal of the pre cancerous polyps. People who are diagnosed at an early stage have over 90% chance of cure and surviving. However, people who have an advance stage of colorectal cancer diagnosis had a much lower chance of cure. In fact, less than 10% of this people will be alive in five years.

This is a preventable cancer and it is curable when it is caught at an early stage. So, do not delay. If you are 50 years of age or older or if you have symptoms that are worrisome for colon cancer, get screened. And get screened for colon cancer today.

Do you need to get screened for colon cancer if there is no family history of colon cancer? If there is no family history of colon cancer I do not see a reason for getting screened because it is usually something that your family history for and I understand.

Only 10-20% of people who have colon cancer have a family member with the disease and you can still get colon cancer even if no one in your family has ever had it. The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy recommends having a first colonoscopy screening test starting at age 50and repeating every ten years. If you have a family history of colon cancer however, you might need to start screening before the age of 50 so consult your doctor about an appropriate screening schedule. To learn more about this disease, identify the qualified position in your area, visit www.screenforcoloncancer.org.

Hello again, I hope this information has increased what you know about colorectal cancer and the importance of getting screened for this highly preventable and treatable disease. The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy has a group of 10,000 physicians who are expertly trained in endoscopic procedures including colonoscopy. As president of the ASGE, I encouraged you to get screened for colorectal cancer if you are aged 50 or older or if you have any worrisome symptoms of colorectal cancer. Colonoscopy is the safe, effective and more tolerated procedure. Colonoscopy perform for colorectal cancer screening can save your life. Please visit www.screenforcoloncancer.org for more information. On the site, you can also find an ASGE position in your area.