Did you know most colon cancers are known as ‘silent’ cancers? They start out as noncancerous growths (polyps) that turn malignant and grow slowly within your colon without causing any worrisome symptoms until they are quite large.
Symptoms of colon cancer include change in bowel movements, abdominal discomfort, unexplained weight loss, anemia, and blood in the stool. The blood in the stool during the early stages of colon cancer is very minimal. It is often only noted during a stool test and not with the naked eye. By the time colon cancer is identified, the cancer may have reached an advanced stage and spread to other parts of the body making treatment quite difficult. This ‘silent’ nature of the disease contributes to making colon cancer the 3rd leading cause of death due to cancer in American men and women.
Can a colonoscopy save your life? Most certainly. A colonoscopy is an easy and quick way to identify polyps growing on the inner surface of your colon and remove them before they turn into cancer.
The general recommendation for healthy low-risk individuals is to have a colonoscopy performed every 10 years starting from age 50 onwards. A strong family history of colon cancer, a diet high in processed meats, a sedentary lifestyle, obesity, type 2 diabetes, or being of African American descent will put you at a higher risk for colon cancer and you may need to undergo colonoscopy for colon cancer screening at an earlier age.
The general recommendation for healthy low-risk individuals is to have a colonoscopy performed every 10 years starting from age 50 onwards. A strong family history of colon cancer, a diet high in processed meats, a sedentary lifestyle, obesity, type 2 diabetes, or being of African American descent will put you at a higher risk for colon cancer and you may need to undergo colonoscopy for colon cancer screening at an earlier age.
If you have been experiencing persistent gastrointestinal complaints or have any questions regarding the potential benefits of undergoing a colonoscopy, do contact your doctor or our staff at North Central Surgical Center in Dallas, Texas for an appointment.
