Colorectal Cancer
This type of cancer is the 2nd leading cause of death for men and women combined.This month’s health topic is colorectal cancer, a cancer that can be found either in the colon or rectum. This type of cancer is the second leading cause of death for men and women combined.
According to the American Cancer Society, over 60% of deaths due to colorectal cancer could have been prevented with proper screening. We live in a world where medical technology has seen tremendous progress; however, the best technology cannot find anomalies in your body if you do not take the steps to get screened regularly.
What are some risk factors?
The Following are a few reasons I’ve heard:
- Lack of access to medical care
- Fear of knowing one’s own medical issues
- Lack of awareness about the importance of screening – the “why should I do it?” question
Indeed, many people still do not know that most cancers can be treated if detected early, thus the importance of getting screened regularly. In the case of colorectal cancer, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that men and women over the age of 50 should be screened for this cancer. The frequency of the screening depends on the test used – following is a link that shows the frequency of screening depending on the test. Please talk to your doctor to discuss which test is best for you.
In addition, although screening is recommended for men and women over the age of 50, recent statistics have shown that the occurrence of colorectal cancer in people under the age of 50 is on the rise. Your doctor will tell you if you need to get screened before the age of 50, but it is your responsibility to start the conversation and know your health status…and, as always, take care of your whole health!