What you should know about colon health… March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

Special to the Journal

For most of us, the thought of having to consistently eat

healthy, exercise and remember to schedule our regular check-ups is a daunting

one. However, it shouldn’t be. Making sure you and your family are healthy

should be at the top of your priority list for the New Year.

Colon health may not be a topic discussed during family

gatherings, but it is important for you to know the facts and how your everyday

decisions impact your body. According to the Prevent Cancer Foundation, over

143,360 people will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer this year and an

estimated 51,690 will die from the disease. Several screenings are available

that detect colorectal cancer early – when it is more easily and successfully

treated. For those who have a family history, or an increased risk of

developing colorectal cancer, it is important to speak with your physician to

determine the most appropriate time to get screened and how often

“It is a well-known fact that screenings save lives;

however, there are many people who believe they don’t need to be screened for

colorectal cancer,” states Kerry Rodgers, MD, general surgeon and member of the

Houston Medical Center and Perry Hospital medical staffs. “Although colorectal

cancer is a leading cause of cancer for both men and women, if detected early,

it can be easier to treat and the outcomes more successful.”

The colon, also called the large bowel or large intestine,

and the rectum are part of the digestive tract, which allows us to eat and use

the food we eat to power our bodies. The colon and rectum are vital because the

colon helps absorb the water, nutrients and food the body takes in, while the

rectum removes the waste that is left over. What we eat and drink impacts how

well the digestive tract works.

The most common screening for colorectal cancer is a

colonoscopy, a procedure performed to determine if polyps or any abnormalities

are present in your colon. Often, tissue samples may be taken during the

procedure or polyps may be removed, if determined necessary by your physician. 

“A colonoscopy is recommended every 10 years if you’re at

average risk for colorectal cancer and are 50 years of age or older,” explains

Rodgers. “It is also important for people to realize that they have the power

to reduce their risk for cancer. By eating a healthy diet and exercising

regularly, their overall health will be positively impacted. Knowing your

family history is also essential to determining your risk for any cancer or

disease.”

 

So who is at risk for colon cancer?

• People age 50 and older
• People who smoke
• People who are overweight or obese, especially those who

  carry fat around their waist

• People who aren’t physically active
• People who drink alcohol in excess, especially men
• People who eat a lot of red meat (such as beef, pork, or

  lamb) or processed meat (such as bacon, sausage, hot dogs or cold cuts)

• People with personal or family histories of inflammatory

  bowel disease (such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease)

• People with family histories of inherited colorectal cancer

  or inherited colorectal problems

HHJ News