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Olanma Okoji, MD and Russic, Majic's 102.3 FM personality
Olanma Okoji, MD and Russ Parr, a 102.3 FM personality at Majic, raise awareness in the African-American community about colon cancer prevention.
Capital Digestive Care
Colorectal cancer screening and prevention statistics in the United States
Colorectal cancer screening and prevention statistics in the United States
Capital Digestive Care
ROCKVILLE, Md., March 20, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) – Colorectal cancer, a largely preventable disease, is now the second leading cause of cancer death among men and women combined in the country. To date, the general guidelines suggest that at-risk individuals should undergo a screening colonoscopy beginning at age 50. African Americans should undergo a colonoscopy at age 45 because colon cancer is more aggressive among African Americans. But things change.
Recently the incidence of colon cancer has increased among young people. This led the American Cancer Society to lower its recommended age for colorectal cancer screening from 50 to 45 for everyone of average risk. "The new ACS guidelines mean that the discussion on colonoscopy should begin before the age of 50. At least at age 45, you should be considered for colorectal cancer screening because we are seeing high levels of advanced polyps that can become cancerous in younger patients, "says Dr. Olanma Okoji from Rockvllle, MD.
This becomes more complicated for people with inflammatory bowel disease or having a family history of related problems. "Anyone with a family history of colon cancer or precancerous polyps in a close family member diagnosed before the age of 60 must undergo colonoscopy beginning at age 40 or 10 at the age of diagnosis. of the youngest parent touched, says Dr. Okoji.
Maj Parr, Majic's personality in 102.3 FM, who recently spoke to Capital Digestive Care about his own experience with colon cancer screening, admits that he did not go to the doctor when he should have been. "I made the mistake of waiting nine years while I should have come back after my doctor told me to come back five years later. I ended up with something that required additional surgery to be removed. I was lucky because they were able to remove it. Some people are not so lucky, "he says.
It is important not to wait for the symptoms. As Parr explains: "You can feel good for a long time, but you do not necessarily have any symptoms of this disease. That's why [doctors] We recommend colonoscopy at 40 and 45 years of age. It's really important and it can save your life. He now sees himself as an advocate for early detection of colon cancer.
According to the National Cancer Institute, the incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer are highest among African Americans compared to other racial / ethnic groups, and the 5-year survival rates for African Americans are the lowest. In addition, practitioners have identified some cultural barriers to screening, as well as a lack of access to care and information. "I think that there is a stigma among some African Americans on the invasive nature of colonoscopy and where the field of application is inserted. There is also a mistrust throughout history based on experiences that negatively affected the African-American community, such as the Experience with syphilis in Tuskegee and the story of Henrietta Lacks , Says Dr. Okoji.
In the middle-risk patient, stool studies may be useful in determining risk. These stool studies evaluate the presence of microscopic blood in the stool (which may signal the presence of a large polyp or cancer) and, in the case of Cologuard, aim to detect alterations in the stool. DNA badociated with cancer of the colon and precancerous polyps.
A person at medium risk is a
- No personal history of colorectal cancer
- Without antecedents of certain types of polyps
- No family history of colorectal cancer
- Without a personal history of inflammatory bowel disease
- Hereditary colorectal cancer confirmed or suspected
- Without personal history of radiotherapy of the abdomen / pelvis to treat an earlier cancer
Dr. Okoji points out that the Cologuard test has been shown to be 92% sensitive to detecting colon cancer, 69% to detect high grade dysplasia (polyps that will become cancer if it does not occur). is not withdrawn) and 42% to detect polyps with a high risk of becoming precancerous and thus an increased risk of colon cancer. She notes that when the stool test result is positive, the recommended follow-up is colonoscopy during which the polyps can be eliminated. For this reason, colonoscopy is still the norm. "This is the only screening modality for colorectal cancer that has shown a decrease in colon cancer mortality," says Dr. Okoji.
In addition to timely screening, diet and exercise can also help reduce the risk of developing colorectal cancer. "We often recommend a diet low in animal fats and rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains to reduce the risk of other chronic diseases, such as coronary heart disease and diabetes. This diet can also reduce the risk of colorectal cancer, "says Dr. Okoji.
In fact, Dr. Parr testified that colon cancer screening contributed to his own care. "I am more aware of how often I eat red meat. And I exercise about 4 times a week. Now Parr follows the recommended schedule for colonoscopies and encourages people around him to do the same. He says that he finds the experience of having a colonoscopy that is gentle, fast and even enjoyable. "The moment you go to sleep and wake up, you wonder when they will start," he says. He encourages everyone to follow Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month's advice to know your family history, talk to your doctor and, if necessary, have you checked.
Contact:
Erica Briggs
Capital Digestive Care
[email protected]
2404855215
Two photos accompanying this announcement are available at
http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d80e115a-f2bc-4d51-813c-49dd7c8211b2
http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/732d407d-97cc-4842-9910-17848fef180a
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