What
is colon cancer?
Cancer
of the colon is ranked as the leading form of cancer, along
with breast cancer and lung cancer. Colon cancer is curable
at a rate of 90% when detected in its earliest stages.
How
is colon cancer caused?
Colon
cancer can develop through various ways, absence of certain
genes, chronic inflammation of the colon, or from the growth
of colon polyps.
What
is a colon polyp?
A
colon polyp is a growth that occurs within the colon itself.
It is a fleshy growth or tumor shaped like a dome or a mushroom.
Colon polyps start out as benign, or non-cancerous growths,
but can, over time, become cancerous.
Who
is at risk for colon cancer?
Individuals
who have immediate family members, such as parents, brothers
or sisters, that have colon polyps detected are at risk. Females
who have a form of genital or breast cancer may also be at an
increased risk for developing colon cancer.
How
do I get screened for colon cancer?
Contact
your family physician to discuss your family history or current
symptoms you may be experiencing. Your family physician can
refer you to a specialist such as a gastroenterologist for further
evaluation.
How
is colon cancer detected?
There
are several ways that colon cancer can be detected:
-
Evaluation
of personal and familial medical history
-
Stool
exams to detect blood in the feces
-
Sigmoidoscopy
- An exam that visualizes the rectum and lower colon
-
Colonoscopy
- An exam that visualizes the entire 5-6 feet of the colon.
If
you feel that you may be at risk for colon cancer, contact your
doctor. Your doctor will evaluate your symptoms and possibly
perform diagnostic tests to determine if you are truly at risk.
A few simple diagnostic exams could save your life.
Click
here for the Colorectal Cancer Screening Guidelines.
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