March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness month. This is very close to my heart as this cancer took my dear cousin away from us at 49 years old. I was briefed on some key
points regarding risks, screening and prevention by NYU Langone.
Screening can save your life please spread the word. Here are the facts:
Colorectal Cancers often have no symptoms. Talk to your doctor about what
screening in and decide what works best for you.
Some factors that further increase risk are:
- Family History of Colorectal Cancer
- Family history of adenomas (meaning: benign (noncancerous) tumor that originates in the glandular epithelial tissue of organs and glands)
- Cigarette smoking
- Obesity
- Gallbladder removal
- Physical inactivity
- Abdominal radiation
- Cancer of uterus or ovaries before 50
- Ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s colitis
- African American race
Facts about Risk:
1 in 23 Lifetime risk of colorectal cancer for Men
1 in 25 Lifetime risk of colorectal cancer in Women
Now most insurance will cover screenings before age 50 as there has been an increase in colorectal cancers in younger people.
Estimates show that people born around 1990 have twice the risk of colon rectal cancer and four times the risk of rectal cancer than those born around 1950. -There are some thoughts that diet and lifestyle may play a part, but no conclusions have been proved.
Different Screenings Available
- Colonoscopy
- Stool based tests (like Cologuard)
- CT Colonography (I just learned about this one It x-rays the colon and is less invasive
than a colonoscopy.
To learn more or donate: https://colorectalcancer.org/screening-prevention
If you need help having that conversation with your doctor or a loved one, Care Answered can help. Contact us to see how we get healthcare DONE. Contact us