By Gabrielle Sellitti
Being in tune with your body every day is key to recognizing the signs of when something feels wrong. Everyday people are being diagnosed with Colorectal Cancer, which is claimed to be the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States and the third most common cancer in men and women.1 So, why is the most preventable cancer rated one of the highest in fatality?
Many people simply ignore the signs their bodies are displaying such as pain in the abdomen, gastrointestinal issues like constipation or blood in their stool, or something as common as feeling fatigue. Educating yourself and listening to your digestion system is the first step to preventing colon cancer. And, trusting your gut is just as important as trusting your physician.
During a colonoscopy, detecting a small growth called a polyp, which can turn into cancer, could potentially result in preventing the growth of colon cancer all together. Board-Certified Gastroenterologist, Badar Muneer, M.D., explains the importance of screenings and colonoscopies.
“The colon polyps are the precursors of the colon cancer. The concept of doing the colonoscopy is to remove the polyp, when they are small and non-cancerous. That is the reason we recommend doing colonoscopies, so we can remove that colon polyp before it becomes cancerous,” Dr. Muneer states.
Michael Cohen, M.D., Board-Certified Gastroenterologist, continues Dr. Muneer’s explanation by expressing how early detection of colon cancer makes it easier to cure.
“When you get a cold and the glands of your neck get swollen, those are actually swollen lymph nodes. There are lymph nodes that surround the colon. The first place that colon cancer generally spreads is to the adjacent lymph nodes. From there, the cancer cells may spread to other organs-most commonly the liver,” Dr. Cohen states.
Before being able to detect the signs and symptoms of colon cancer, it is important to understand how the colon and rectum work. Board-Certified Gastroenterologist, Alexandra Grace, educates on the science behind it.
“The colon eliminates waste from the body while also removing water from the stool. Your colon and rectum are large transit tubes made of various muscles that help propel digested food out of your body. Polyps happen when cells are created that aren’t needed and develop into small tumors. These tumors can continue to grow if left in the colon or rectum and develop into cancer,” She explains.
Knowing how your digestive system works is crucial, so when abnormal symptoms arise, you can seek the proper medical attention. Dr. Grace encourages patients to keep an eye out for any changes in bowel habits, blood in the stool, and even low blood counts called anemia. These are all indications that you could develop colon cancer.
“However, the most important thing for patients to know is colon cancers can have NO SYMPTOMS at all! Polyps rarely ever have symptoms,” Dr. Grace clarifies.
Most people who have colon cancer do not develop symptoms until the cancer has advanced. This makes prevention techniques very important. Dr. Cohen recommends the most commonly used screening tools when detecting polyps, including colonoscopies, multi-target stool DNA testing, and fecal immunochemical testing.
Doing colonoscopies based on age, risk factors or symptoms is recommended by all three physicians. Age is the most common risk factor starting between ages 45-50. Family history of colon cancer or polyps, smoking, and patients with Crohn’s disease or Ulcerative colitis are also at high risk for colon cancer.
Both Dr. Muneer, Dr. Grace, and Dr. Cohen recommend patients to keep up with their screening tests and eat a high fiber diet with lots of fruits and vegetables. Staying away from red meat and staying hydrated are all important factors for good colon health as well. Some studies also indicate a preventative role for folic acid, vitamin b6, calcium, vitamin D, and magnesium.
Thanks to prevention, effective treatments, and screenings like a colonoscopy, more people are counting themselves as survivors. Make sure to discuss with your primary care or gastroenterologist colon cancer screening tests for early detection and treatment.
If you think you may be at risk, or would like to schedule an appointment with one of our physicians, please contact Physicians Regional Medical Group at (239) 268-6766 or visit DigestiveHealthPRHS.com for online scheduling.
Reference:
1 https://www.cancer.org/cancer/colon-rectal-cancer/about/what-is-colorectal-cancer.html