March is colon cancer awareness month and as such I urge everybody to think about getting a colonoscopy or at the very least getting an evaluation from your doctor looking for risk factors that would increase your risk of colon cancer.
More than 136,000 Americans are being diagnosed every year with colorectal cancer and approximately 50,000 people die every year from this type of cancer. This is why it is very important for people over the age of 50 to look at ways to prevent and make an early diagnosis for the possibility of colon cancer.
You know diet is very important…. We should all focus on diets with less processed meats, more natural fibers and healthy fats. Limiting your alcohol consumption and quitting smoking are all key when looking for was to prevent colon cancer.
Don’t forget that if you have a family history of colon cancer this puts you in a very high-risk category.
Many people are afraid of getting a colonoscopy but I will tell you it is quite safe and easy to do. There are new tests being develop every year; some which include looking at blood in the stool as well as trying to identify genetic material in the stool in order to detect early cancers. However, the colonoscopy is still the gold standard in early detection. If you have any of these symptoms painful or bloody stool, excessive cramping, or unexpected weight-loss see your doctor immediately.
Always remember: cancer can be prevented if it is caught early. The question for all of you my friends is….
Are you ready to take the test?
