OSWEGO – February 29, 2024, Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers in both men and women and is a leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS). It is also one of the most preventable. Oswego Health is working to save lives through prevention awareness. With March being National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, Oswego Health is reminding the community of the importance of early screening and what we can do to minimize the chances of getting colorectal cancer.
Regular screening and healthy lifestyle choices can help prevent the disease altogether. If cancer does develop, screening can help detect it early, when it is much easier to treat effectively.
Most colorectal cancers start as abnormal growths, called polyps, on the lining of the intestine. These polyps can be removed before they develop into cancer. Many early colorectal cancers can also be treated successfully.
Screening is the best tool for finding polyps or colorectal cancer early. The United States Preventative Services Taskforce and the ACS recommend that people at average risk for colorectal cancer start screening at age 45. According to Dr. Mohammad Ali, Chief of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Oswego Health, there has been an increase in the incidence of colorectal cancer in those younger than 50 years, leading to the new recommendations.
Some effective options for colorectal cancer screening include:
- Fecal occult blood test
- Stool DNA test
- Colonoscopy (A colonoscopy continues to be the gold standard of care.)
Your doctor can help you decide which screening program is right for you. If you have risk factors, such as a family history of colorectal cancer, polyps, or inflammatory bowel disease, your doctor may recommend that you start screening earlier or be screened more often.
Your doctor can also help you decide when to stop screening. For people ages 76 to 85, the decision to screen for colorectal cancer should be an individual one.
You can also take steps to lower your risk by making healthy lifestyle choices. The American Institute for Cancer Research recommends the following:
- Limit intake of red meat, such as beef and lamb, to no more than 18 ounces (cooked weight) a week
- Avoid processed meat, such as hot dogs, ham, bacon and sausage
- Know the risks of alcohol. Colorectal cancer has been linked to drinking alcohol
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Be physically active for at least a half hour a day
Some colorectal cancer can’t be prevented, but it can be treated. The ACS says to check with your doctor if you have:
- Diarrhea, constipation, or another change in bowel habits for more than a few days
- Cramping or steady stomach pain
- Blood in your stool or from your rectum
- Unexplained anemia
- Unintentional weight loss
Having symptoms doesn’t necessarily mean you have cancer, but they should always be investigated. Getting them checked could ease your mind, and it could save your life.
Need to schedule a screening? Contact the specialists at the Center for Gastroenterology & Metabolic Diseases at 315-312-0089.
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