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With the exclusion of skin cancer, colorectal cancer – also called bowel cancer, colon or rectum cancer – is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in men and women in the USA. "With colonoscopic screening, colon polyps are screened early and eliminated before they turn into colorectal cancer," says Nicholas J. Agresti, MD, a certified gastroenterologist on the board of directors. Georgia Southeast Physician Associates-Gastroenterology, a strategic affiliate of Southeast Georgia Health System. "There is a 90 percent reduction in the risk of colorectal cancer following the procedure."
For most people, the age of 50 is the recommended age to start colorectal cancer screening; However, age 45 is the recommendation for African Americans.
According to the American College of Gastroenterology, anyone with a family history of colorectal cancer is recommended to undergo colonoscopy every five years, starting 10 years before the diagnosis age of the youngest parent reached or at age 40, whichever comes first.
"Colorectal cancer and precancerous polyps do not always have symptoms, so screening is so important," says Agresti. "Symptoms may include blood in the stool, persistent abdominal pain, anemia and inexplicable weight loss." There is blood in the stool, on the toilet paper or in the toilet bowl. A colonoscopy should be performed as soon as possible. "
Although colonoscopies are the most common screening option,
CT colonoscopy (or virtual colonoscopy)
• Sigmoidoscopy, similar at colonoscopy, is a partial examination that only covers the left side of the colon
• Occult blood test in guaiac stool with high sensitivity (FOBT) or fecal immunochemical test (FIT)
• test Stool DNA (FIT-DNA)
Agresti and colleagues from Southeast Georgia Physician Associates-Gastroenterology recommend colonoscopy screenings to high-risk individuals and others, depending on the situation
"The rectal bleeding may be related s to cancer or polyps or even hemorrhoids, but we never take a chance. We always do a colonoscopy, "explains Agresti.
In addition to screening, Agresti recommends regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, and eating a balanced diet rich in vegetables.
If colorectal cancer is detected the treatment options are then discussed with a team of surgeons, an oncologist and a gastroenterologist.
Risk factors for colorectal cancer include family history of colorectal cancer or colon polyps, obesity, smoking, and an inactive lifestyle. Although colon cancer rates are declining among Caucasians over the age of 50, this rate has increased among youth and African Americans.
The risk also increases with age. According to the Colon Cancer Alliance, over 90% of colorectal cancers occur in people 50 years and older.
"If you think you are at increased risk, talk to your doctor or one of our gastroenterologists. Start the screening and determine the frequency of the tests, "recommends Agresti
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