Colon Cancer Prevention

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of death from cancer in the United States. Being that March is colorectal cancer awareness month, how can we lower our chance of colon and rectal cancer?

Only 25% of colon cancer patients have a family history. For individuals who do not have a family history of colon cancer, the onset can be attributed by lifestyle (poor diet and lack of exercise), environmental exposure, or stress. Stress causes inflammation, which ultimately suppresses the immune system and links to cancer. (more…)

Colon Cancer Myths

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Here are the most common myths about this disease that I hear from my patients.

Myth:

“I feel fine, I have no pain or feel any lumps- there is no way for me to have colon cancer”

Reality:

Most patients who underwent screening colonoscopy and a colon cancer were found did NOT have any symptoms. Most importantly, those are the cases that are curable! By the time symptoms developed, unfortunately it is often already too late. 91% of patients with cancer that were detected early are alive and well 5 years after diagnosis. But only 37% of all colorectal cancer are diagnosed at this stage- we can do better, this is the most preventable cancer with screening.

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