| Do I Need to be Screened for Colon and Rectal Cancer? |
| Colon and Rectal Cancer - cancer of the colon and rectum - is the second leading cancer killer in the United States. All women and men aged 50 and older are at an increased risk. The good news is that Colon and Rectal Cancer is preventable and, if detected early, curable. |
| If you answer "yes" to any of the following questions, you are at risk and should contact our office for information about screening for Colon and Rectal Cancer. |
- Are you aged 50 or older?
- Have a parent, brother, sister or child who had Colon and Rectal Cancer?
- Have a parent, brother, sister, or child who had colon polyps?
- Do you have Inflammatory Bowel Disease known as Ulcerative Colitis or Crohn's Disease?
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| Although Colon Cancer is called the "silent" killer because it can grow in an unsuspecting person without any complaints, sometimes it can be associated with several ailments. If you have experienced any of the symptoms below, please contact our office for further counseling. |
- Blood in or on the stool
- Change in bowel habits
- Stools that are narrower than usual
- General stomach discomfort (bloating, fullness, and/or cramps)
- Diarrhea, constipation, or feeling that the bowel does not empty completely
- Frequent gas pains
- Weight loss for no apparent reason
- Rectal bleeding
- Constant tiredness
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| While screening can prevent Colon and Rectal Cancer, making healthy lifestyle choices are also important. Here are some things you can do to lower your risk of developing Colon and Rectal Cancer: |
- Get screened regularly beginning at age 50
- Exercise and maintain a normal body weight
- Eat plenty of vegetables, fruits and high-fiber foods
- Avoid foods that are high in fat
- Don't smoke
- Drink alcohol only in moderation
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