Colon Cancer
Colorectal Cancer Is Preventable, Treatable, And Beatable
Colorectal cancer is cancer of the colon and rectum. It is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States and is equally common in men and women. With recommended screening, this cancer can be prevented (by removing polyps before they become cancerous) or detected early, when it can be more easily and successfully treated. Most colon cancer deaths are preventable by early detection. If you are at average risk for colorectal cancer, start having regular screening at age 50. If you are at greater risk, you may need to begin regular screening at an earlier age. The best time to get screened is before any symptoms appear. Use the information below to help you discuss screening options with your physician. Who Should be Screened?
How To Reduce Your Risk
What Are the Symptoms of Colorectal Cancer? Early stages of colorectal cancer do no usually have symptoms. Advanced stages may cause:
**** IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT SYMPTOMS MAY NOT BE PRESENT!!! THIS IS THE KEY REASON TO SCHEDULE REGULAR COLON SCREENINGS **** How is the Screening Done? The most commonly used procedure is called colonoscopy and is generally performed by a gastroenterologist, suregeon or another specialist of the gastrointestinal tract. It involves a bowel cleansing process the afternnon prior to your procedure. The procedure is most often performed with sedation. The physician will look through the colon with a flexible tube called a colonoscope, this instrument provides a direct visual of the colon and any abnormalities. If a polyp is found during the procedure, the physician will remove the polyp to prevent further growth. Polyps have the potential of becoming cancerous. Colon Cancer Patient Self-Assessment Survey Answer the following six questions to determine if you are at risk of developing polyps or colorectal cancer:
If you answered "yes" to one or more of the questions above, you are at risk for developing colorectal polyps or cancer. Please contact your physician to discuss the results of this survey, other risk factors and to review the screening options that are best available to you. Note: The Colon Cancer Patient Self-Assessment Survey is NOT intended to diagnose colon cancer or polyps, but is used as a tool to determine risk factors for colorectal cancer. Other Types Of Colorectal Screening:
Any abnormal result of a virtual colonoscopy or double-contrast barium enema, as well as a positive FOBT, FIT or sDNA test, should be followed up with a colonoscopy. Treatment Surgery is the most common treatment. When the cancer has spread, chemotherapy or radiation therapy is given before or after surgery. |  Colorectal Cancer Wikipedia
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