March is colon cancer awareness month. We recognize this month as a way to raise awareness for the fourth most common type of cancer in the United States.
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of all cancer-related deaths in the U.S Colon cancer is preventable and curable when detected early with the use of a screening colonoscopy and other noninvasive testing. The American Cancer Society recommends colon cancer screening at age 45 (this was previously age 50). If you have a first degree relative (mother, father, brother, or sister) who has a history of colon cancer, the recommendation is to begin screening 10 years prior to the age they were at diagnosis (i.e. if mom was diagnosed at age 40, you would begin screening at age 30).
Things to watch for: changes in bowel habits, including diarrhea or constipation or a change in the consistency of your stool; rectal bleeding or blood in stool, abdominal discomfort, weakness.
If you are having any symptoms as described or you meet the age criteria—please get screened for colon cancer. Screening is simple—Cancer is not. Love yourself enough to get screened.
Call Randolph Health Gastroenterology today at 336-625-0305 to schedule an appointment for a Colon Cancer Screening.
Information submitted by:
Brooke Hayes, BSN, RN, CGRN Practice Manager,
Randolph Health Gastroenterology
Sources/References:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023, February 28). Colorectal (colon) cancer. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/colorectal/
Colorectal cancer information: Understanding colorectal cancer. Information | Understanding Colorectal Cancer | American Cancer Society. (n.d.). https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/colon-rectal-cancer.html
Yorumlar