      
•••••Hair Removal
•••••Colon Health
•••••Chronic Pain
•••••Shingles
•••••Flu
•••••Common Ailments
|
••• |
ImmediCenter Article • Colon Health
|
|
|
Over 50? It’s Time for a Colonoscopy
By Michael P. Basista, M.D., Director, ImmediCenter Family Practice
Are you of European Descent?
Europeans (including Americans of European descent), have a high incidence of colorectal cancer. I find this to be particularly disturbing because middle aged Americans are lax in having the proper screening tests performed in a timely manner.
Colon Cancer Screening
One of the most powerful weapons in preventing colorectal cancer is regular colorectal cancer screening or testing. These include fecal immunochemical test, flexible sigmoidoscopy, barium enema, and colonoscopy. The colonoscopy is the gold standard of colorectal cancer screening and should be performed by someone well versed in its use. Discussions with your doctor will determine which screening tests are best suited for you and how often they should be performed.
Colonoscopy
The first step is to have a physical exam, (or what we now call a periodic health assessment), performed so you can discuss your concerns regarding your colon with your doctor. If a colonoscopy is deemed the proper screening tool, don’t be alarmed if you are referred to a specialist for this test. An expert is the best one to do the procedure with the least amount of discomfort and complication.
Timely screening allows us to find colorectal cancers earlier when the disease is easier to cure. Because of these advances in treatment, the number of cancer survivors has increased.
Early Detection
Timely screening allows us to find colorectal cancers earlier when the disease is easier to cure. Because of these advances in treatment, the number of cancer survivors has increased.
Colorectal cancer refers to cancer that develops anywhere in the colon (large intestine) or rectum. This is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States. The good news is that the number of deaths from this disease has been decreasing over the past 15 years.
One probable reason for this is that more screening tests are being performed, and polyps (small growths in the intestines) are being found and removed before they turn into cancer. Additionally, timely screening allows us to find colorectal cancers earlier when the disease is easier to cure. Because of these advances in treatment, the number of cancer survivors has increased.
When colorectal cancer is in its early stage, or while it is still a polyp, there might be no symptoms at all. Regularly scheduled proper checkups can identify this deadly disease early and make a cure more likely.
Symptoms
Unfortunately, colon cancer has to be fairly advanced before it causes symptoms. Symptoms can include a change in bowel habits lasting more than a few days, a feeling of needing to have a bowel movement despite just having had one, a change in the shape of the stool, blood in the stool or from the rectum, cramping or constant pain in the stomach area, or weakness and fatigue.
Colorectal cancer risk factors include:
••••Being age 50 or older
••••Having a close relative (sibling, parent or child) who had colorectal
••••cancer before age 60
••••Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.
Additional risk factors are:
••••Eating a diet rich in red meat
••••Being physically inactive
••••Being overweight or obese
••••Smoking
••••Increased alcohol consumption
••••Diabetes
There are too many other risk factors to list, so please visit the American Cancer Society’s website, www.cancer.org for more about this disease and its risk factors.
Dr. Basista is the Medical Director of ImmediCenter and can be contacted
at the above phone number or by email- DrBasista@immedicenter.com.
Please visit www.immedicenter.com for more information.
© 2008 Dr. Michael Basista / Hidden Light Media. 718.909.1531 All rights reserved.
|
|
|
|
|
