March is the Time for a Conversation About Colon Cancer

Information is power when it comes to a deadly disease like colon cancer. Knowing the facts, making healthy choices and finding the right screening test can make a big difference – and help save lives.
So why talk about it now? Because it’s timely: March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.
The disease, which occurs in the colon or rectum, is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death in men and women combined in the U.S.

The American Cancer Society estimates that this year more than 135,000 people will be diagnosed and approximately 50,000 of them will die from this disease.

In California, more than 5,000 residents on average have died from the disease each year and public health trends show that screening rates are low for women in Los Angeles County (60%).
Generally speaking, the disease doesn’t discriminate — it affects both men and women equally and impacts all racial and ethnic groups.

But the good news is that colon cancer is also different than most cancers. It’s largely preventable and beatable. Up to 90 percent of the cases can be beaten when caught early through screening, according to five-year survival rates. When diagnosed at more advanced states, however, the survival rates can range from about 70 percent down to only 12 percent.

The “caught early” part is crucial. That’s why it’s important to be aware that many of the disease’s typical symptoms can be caused by something that is not cancer. They can be caused by conditions such as hemorrhoids, irritable bowel syndrome or inflammatory bowel disease.
This makes it even more important to get any problems checked out sooner rather than later. A doctor can conduct screening tests to determine whether there may be anything serious and, if needed, provide treatment.

In addition, a visit to the doctor can help you understand why it’s important to know the lifelong risk factors. Did you know that the factors include smoking, alcohol use and long-term eating of red or processed meats? There are also the factors of being overweight and physically inactive.

Health care professionals agree that adults over age 50 should consider at some point taking the important preventive step of getting screened. There is a simple lab test that helps detect blood in the stool and cancer at earlier stages. There is also the colonoscopy exam, which is safe, relatively painless and done under sedation. The exam uses a camera to look inside the large intestine to discover any growths or abnormalities such as polyps and ulcers. Most health insurance plans cover these types of screenings.

When it comes to colon cancer prevention, information is power. Through screenings, understanding risk factors and engaging in a healthy lifestyle, lives can be saved.