colon cancer awareness
Colorectal cancer is the cancer of the colon (intestines) and rectum. According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the US. Deaths have been decreasing for several decades with increased screening as well as improved treatment.
Risk factors for colorectal cancer include being overweight, sedentary lifestyle, smoking, and heavy alcohol use. These are all things that you can change. Risk factors that you cannot change are being older, having a personal or family history of colorectal polyps or colorectal cancer, and inflammatory bowel disease. African Americans have the highest incidence of colorectal cancer in the US.
Some symptoms of colorectal cancer are changes in bowel habits like diarrhea, constipation, narrowing of the stool, the feeling that you need to have a bowel movement that does not go away when you have a bowel movement, rectal bleeding or blood in your stool, abdomen pain, and/or unintended weight loss.
The US Preventative Task Force recommends colon cancer screenings should start at age 50 until age 75 for those who have an average risk of developing colorectal cancer. The screenings can include either a fecal occult blood test, sigmoidoscopy, or colonoscopy. The best test for you is determined by your healthcare provider.
If you would like to schedule a colon cancer screening with one of our providers, please call (225) 665-6422.
Sabrina Grantham, PA
