MARCH IS COLON CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

March was designated National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month 10 years ago. Since then, public awareness of screening for colorectal cancer has grown and mortality has decreased. Colorectal cancer is cancer of the colon or rectum and is equally common in men and women. Colorectal Cancer usually takes about 5-10 years to develop but it is one of the few cancers we can prevent successfully with colonoscopy screenings, by removing polyps before they become cancerous or by detecting the cancer early when it can be more easily and successfully treated. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, colorectal cancer screening saves lives. If everyone aged 50 years old or older were screened regularly, as many as 60 percent of deaths from this cancer could be avoided. It is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. Colorectal cancer also is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in the United States. The risk of developing colorectal cancer increases with advancing age. More than 90 percent of cases occur in people aged 50 or older

Ways to reduce your risk:

• Be physically active and exercise regularly
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Eat a high-fiber diet (rich in fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans and whole grains), consume calcium-rich foods like low-fat or skim milk and limit red meat consumption and processed meats.
• Don't smoke
• Don't drink alcohol excessively

Medical Screening Recommendations

• Have a baseline colonoscopy at age 50 and then every 5-10 years, unless polyps are present then repeat colonoscopy in a year except if the polyps are hyperplastic
• The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends screening for colorectal cancer for all people until age 75 and some people older than 75. Ask your doctor if you should be screened
• There are still many cases in younger patients who experience ongoing abdominal discomfort. This symptom should not be ignored and a colonoscopy as a diagnostic tool can still be used to rule out polyps and colorectal cancer.
• Several additional tests are available to screen for colorectal cancer. Talk with your doctor about which test or tests are best for you.

We have literature available on this topic for you to distribute to your employees if desired.  Just let us know.