You Have Power Over Colon Cancer
Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths and rates are on the rise – especially among those over the age of 50.
Thankfully, nearly 60% of colon cancer-related deaths can be prevented through safe and effective colonoscopies. The American Cancer Society now recommends screening for anyone 45 and older because early detection is so critical. Learn more below about symptoms and screenings, and call your primary care provider to find out if you should schedule a screening with the experts at Mosaic.
Who Should Get Screened?
Mosaic recommends getting screened if you meet one or more of these criteria:
- Adults between 45 and 75
- Those with a family history of:
- Colon cancer
- Colon polyps
- Genetic diseases
- Anyone with these symptoms:
- Changes in bowel habits (such as diarrhea, constipation), that lasts for more than a few days
- Feeling that you need to have a bowel movement that's not relieved by having one
- Rectal bleeding
- Blood in the stool
- Dark black stools
- Cramping or abdominal (belly) pain
- Weakness and fatigue (tiredness)
- Unintentional weight loss
If you have any of these symptoms, do not delay in reporting them to your physician. They may suggest a colorectal screening.
The Silent Threat
Colorectal cancer is known as a silent disease because people usually don’t have symptoms until the disease is really progressed.
“Most people don’t even know they have polyps in the early stages, so screening is very crucial,” says Dr. Abou-Jawde. “It's the best way to detect the disease early when it's most treatable and getting a colonoscopy for screening reduces your risk of death from colon cancer by up to 75%."
One of the biggest reasons for advocating colonoscopy screenings is because colorectal cancer is on the rise in younger adults and the latest guideline is to start screening at 45 years old, even if you don’t have symptoms.
"We are seeing young patients with late-stage colon cancer because they’re ignoring symptoms and delaying a diagnosis," says Dr. Abou-Jawde.
Colorectal cancer doesn't suddenly appear. It starts as a small growth in the colon, called a polyp, which rarely causes symptoms. If left alone over many years, polyps can grow into cancer still without producing symptoms.
“Not all polyps are cancerous, but that’s where all colon cancer begins,” says Dr. Abou-Jawde. “It can take a polyp five or 10 years to develop into cancer if left alone and even then, they still rarely cause symptoms. That’s why colonoscopies are so important and can save lives.”
Colorectal Cancer Prevention
In addition to screening, lifestyle choices can help reduce your risk of colorectal cancer:
- Drink water
- Take folic acid and B vitamins
- Increase physical activity and keep a healthy weight
- Limit alcohol consumption
- Avoid tobacco
- Reduce eating red and processed meats; choose fish and nuts
- Eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables
- Get an age-appropriate colonoscopy
Colorectal Cancer Numbers and Statistics
- Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths
- Nearly 60% of colorectal cancer deaths could be prevented with screening
- One in five colorectal cancer patients are between 20 and 54 years old
- Black Americans are 30% more likely to get colorectal cancer before age 50
- One in three people with colorectal cancer have a family history of it
- In 2025, an estimated 154,270 people will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer and will join more than 1.5 million other patients and survivors
Contact Us
Schedule an appointment with your primary doctor today.
Need a new primary care doctor? Visit mymlc.com/allnew to find primary care doctors and nurse practitioners near you who are currently accepting new patients.
