March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month - It's Preventable, Beatable, Treatable

CONTACT: Sherry Hoffman

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March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month

Although colon cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men and women, the good news is the statistics are improving.

According to the National Cancer Institute, rates for new colon and rectal cancer cases have been falling on average 3.2 percent each year over the last 10 years and death rates have been falling for men and women on average 2.7 percent. The better news is colon cancer is preventable.

“Early detection through colonoscopy is one reason the statistics are improving,” says Dr. Barry Kaufman of Atlantic Gastro Associates.

“Colonoscopy is the essence of colon cancer prevention because the procedure can discover and remove pre-cancerous polyps in people without symptoms. It’s not really a cancer screening strategy—it’s a cancer prevention strategy that has decreased the incidence of the disease.

The discovery of a polyp (precancerous lesion) during a colonoscopy, weighed in conjunction with family history, will determine how long a patient should wait to have a follow-up colonoscopy,” Kaufman adds.

“An initial negative exam with no family history (parent, sibling or child) will generally result in a recommendation of a follow-up in seven to 10 years.

“African-Americans have the highest rate of colon cancer of any racial group in the United States. Jews of European decent have the highest overall rate of any ethnic group.

“Those groups should begin having a colonoscopy between the ages of 40 to 45,” Kaufman says, “Caucasians should begin regular colonoscopies at 50. A family history of colon cancer or other cancers could alter the timing of the screenings.”

Although colorectal cancer has few, if any, symptoms, contact your physician if you are having any gastrointestinal issues, such as alternating bouts of diarrhea and constipation, prior diagnosis of colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, or another bowel condition.

Usually, early colon cancer does not cause pain, but it’s important not to wait to feel pain before seeing a doctor.

“The bottom line – get a colonoscopy,” Kaufman says. ”The prep isn’t as difficult as you think. And it’s worth it.”

Myths about colon cancer can be found on the AGA website at:

atlanticgastro.com.

Also visit facebook.com/atlanticgastroassociates

Atlantic Gastroenterology Associates (AGA): Established in 1979 as a small southern New Jersey practice, AGA has flourished to become the largest and most sophisticated gastrointestinal treatment center in three counties. The practice founded Atlantic Gastro Education Foundation (AGAfoundation.org), dedicated to presenting leaders in gastrointestinal diseases to educate the community and medical professionals.