Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Take Care Tuesday

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.  Colorectal cancer is cancer of the colon and rectum. This year, over 142,000 people will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer and 50,800 will die of this disease. It is the second most deadly cancer in this country.

The good news is that with certain types of screening, this cancer can be prevented! Doctors can remove polyps (grape-like growths on the wall of the intestine) before they become cancerous. The most effective screening test at this time is a colonoscopy.

Colorectal cancer screening saves lives!! If everyone who is 50 years or older were screened regularly, as many as 60% of deaths from this cancer would be avoided.

You should begin screening for colorectal cancer soon after turning 50, then keep getting screened regularly until the age of 75. Ask your doctor if you should be screened if you're older than 75.

Certain conditions and family history make certain individuals more at risk for developing colorectal cancer. If you think you may be at high risk for colorectal cancer talk to your doctor about when and how often you should be tested.


While it may be embarrassing to discuss bathroom habits with a doctor, symptoms of colorectal cancer (including blood in stool, bloating, constant constipation, persistent diarrhea, unexplained weight loss) can begin at any age. Hiding symptoms or being embarrassed to talk to your doctor can allow pre-cancerous polyps in the colon to develop into cancerous tumors. 

Changes in bowel habits may be embarrassing, but ignoring them can kill you. Please speak with your doctor openly and honestly. Remember our body is our temple!

Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, who you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought with a price; therefore, glorify God with your bodies.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20

Sources:
www.cancer.org
www.cdc.gov/colorectal



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