
It’s National Colorectoal Cancer Awareness Month – Are You Aware?
According to the National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance (NCCRA), colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in the United States. More Americans die each year from colorectal cancer than from breast cancer or AIDS. More than 130,000 Americans will be diagnosed this year with colorectal cancer, making colorectal cancer a concern for everyone. Although incidence has been declining in recent years, nearly 55,000 Americans still die annually from colon cancer.
Unfortunately, many of these deaths are the result of ignoring symptoms, failing to go in for a check-up and failing to pursue cancer removal.
Colon cancer develops slowly and involves several steps, including genetic changes leading to precancerous growths called polyps. The purpose of screening is to detect polyps so they can be removed before becoming cancerous. Colorectal cancer has four stages, each with a subsequent degenerative diagnose. There are treatments provided to address each stage of the cancer based on its progression, however, surgery is an inevitable step.
“All stages of colorectal cancer are surgically addressed,” said William Altringer, MD, a general surgeon at PrimeCare’s Mid Dakota Clinic. “It comes down to the matter that it just has to be removed.”
With early discovery of cancer, surgery can be avoided and cancer can be beaten. Colorectal cancer is preventable through regular testing, and you can greatly reduce your risk of getting colorectal cancer by making healthy choices. It just takes a few simple steps and a few smart choices.
Because the high rate of colon cancer is concentrated in the U.S. and Western Europe, a number of authorities believe it is connected to consumption of a diet high in fat and low in fiber. For dietary purposes, healthy eating habits again, play a major contributor in cancer prevention. By maintaining a healthy weight with nutrition and diet, you will reduce your risk for colorectal cancer. This includes alcohol intake. And as with most health-related illness, daily exercise plays a large role. Smokers are also at a higher risk.
Among the choices you can make, there are also actions you can take. Regular testing will increase your chances of finding potential cancerous polyps. Also, make sure you talk with your doctor about risk factors. Do a family history to see if any of your family has had polyps or cancer in the colon, rectum, breast or any gland.
More Awareness, less deaths. You can help prevent and cure colorectal cancer by making sure you are aware of the symptoms, stages and risk factors of the disease.
