Colon Cancer: Knowledge is Power

If you’re 45, it’s time to get screened. 

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. According to the American Cancer Society, the colon cancer death rate in this country could be cut by more than half if Americans simply followed recommended screening guidelines. Early detection and treatment are critical. If caught early, colorectal cancer is 90 percent curable. If precancerous polyps are found during screening, the disease is often altogether preventable. Because colorectal cancer can develop with no signs or symptoms, a colonoscopy could serve as a life-saving test.

New guidelines: Get screened at 45.

Men and women are affected equally by colorectal cancer. For patients of average risk with no family history, it is now recommended that screenings for colon cancer begin at age 45*, with follow-up screenings every five to 10 years, even for people who feel perfectly healthy. If you do have a family history of cancer, are experiencing pain or bleeding, or a previous screening revealed polyps, your doctor may recommend that you be screened earlier or more frequently.

A colonoscopy is not as hard as you think.

There’s no need to feel embarrassed or ashamed during a colonoscopy. It is your doctor’s job to perform these lifesaving screenings, and every effort is made to help patients feel comfortable during the painless procedure. 

Colorectal Cancer Risk Factors

Even if you have no family history of the colorectal cancer or polyps, you are at increased risk if: 

• you are 45+ years of age
• you are overweight
• you are physically inactive
• you smoke and/or excessively consume alcohol
• you eat a lot of red meat 
• you have diagnosed or undiagnosed Type 2 diabetes
• you have Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis

*Although the screening guidelines have been lowered to age 45, some insurances may not cover the screening until age 50.

About Dr. Sunina Nathoo

Sunina Nathoo, MD, is a board-certified gastroenterologist with advanced fellowship training in gastroenterology and hepatology. Dr. Nathoo has received multiple awards for her distinguished scholarship and her clinical interests include capsule endoscopy, acid reflux, and inflammatory bowel disease.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit GetScreenedToday.com or call 407-609-7395.