Early Detection is Key to Preventing Colorectal Cancer

Each March, Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month highlights what is considered to be the most preventable, beatable cancer if detected early. Commonly referred to as colon cancer, colorectal cancer is cancer of the colon (part of the large intestine) or the rectum. Colon cancer may begin as non-cancerous polyps — growths on the lining of the colon or rectum — that can become cancerous.

According to the American Cancer Society, nearly 150,000 Americans are diagnosed with colon cancer each year, with an estimated 50,000 dying from it. Colon cancer is one cancer that is preventable with early and regular screening. Screening can catch polyps before they become cancerous and, when caught early, colon cancer is typically curable.

Colon cancer affects both men and women, with risk increasing with age. Some risk factors for colon cancer include:

• Being age 50 or older
• Personal or family history of colorectal polyps, ulcerative colitis, or Crohn’s Disease
• Personal or family history of colorectal, ovarian, endometrial, breast or other cancers of the GI tract or the female reproductive system
• Being of African American or Hispanic descent

In order to minimize your risk of colon cancer, men and women should be screened regularly beginning at the age of 50. A colonoscopy is one of the most effective screening methods for finding and removing colon polyps and is often covered by health insurance. Regular screening prevents cancer through the removal of pre-cancerous polyps, offering detection of cancer in its earliest, most curable stages. It is estimated that 30,000 lives a year could be saved if everyone over age 50 and those at risk are screened for colon cancer.

It is important to bring greater awareness to this disease because the dangers, prevention, and treatment of colon cancer are not widely known and are not discussed because it involves parts of the body that people may be embarrassed to talk about. Since early detection is crucial to both prevention and treatment of colon cancer, encourage your loved ones over the age of 50 to have regular screenings.