Indeed, colorectal cancer is second only to lung cancer as the leading cause of cancer deaths in America.
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The inflatable colon features interactive displays to help educate residents about colorectal cancer.
According to the American Cancer Society, the colon cancer death rate in this country could be cut in half if all Americans simply followed recommended screening guidelines. She said that if she had been aware about the kind of lifesaving tool colonoscopy is, she wouldn’t have been suffering from cancer.
Colon cancer and rectal cancer sometimes are grouped together and called colorectal cancer. Polyps then can progress to cancer.
Patel said those with a history of cancer in their family should get checked out at age 40 or earlier.
It’s important to remember that the above may be symptomatic of colorectal cancer, but these same symptoms can be caused by other medical conditions as well. Colorectal cancer screening has reduced the incidence of colon cancer nearly 30 percent over the past 20 years, but we can do so much better. In fact, a recent study in the journal Gut found that higher levels of vitamin D were associated with a lower risk for developing colorectal tumors. The event will offer free in-home colorectal cancer screening kits, lung cancer risk assessments, education on cancer risk factors and affordable blood testing.
Research confirms that a high percentage of colorectal cancers could be avoided if people over age 50 had regular screening tests. Plus, those who are in committed relationships and who have a healthy support system are more like to make healthy decisions that will prevent colon cancer, Nandi said.
“If you do get screened and the disease is caught early it’s 90 per cent preventable and curable, so that’s really the word we’re trying to get out so that people really take the time to get screened when they hit 50”, she said.
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Dr. Mark A. Mallory is with The Digestive Health Clinic Idaho and is governor for the American College of Gastroenterology.
