Written by Dr. Aisha Harris
We do not like talking about cancer, but it is important to talk about it so we can be aware of our risks and what we need to do to prevent cancer.
Colon cancer occurs in one in every 23 men and one in every 26 for women. Over the last couple decades, it has started to occur at younger ages and be more aggressive. African Americans are 20% more likely to develop colon cancer and are 40% more likely to have a more aggressive form of colon cancer and die.
According to the CDC, regular screening, beginning at age 45, is the key to preventing colorectal cancer and finding it early. Some screening may need to happen earlier for those who have a family history of colon cancer, family history of abnormal colon cancer screenings or have symptoms cancer for a colon disease. You may need to be tested earlier than 45, or more often than other people, if you have—
- Inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.
- A personal or family history of colorectal cancer or colorectal polyps.
- A genetic syndrome such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (Lynch syndrome).
For many people with a family history of colon cancer or abnormal colonoscopies in a first-degree family member such as a parent or sibling, it is recommended they get a colonoscopy 10 years before their relative was diagnosed with an abnormality or disease.
For others, normal colon cancer screening start at age 45 years old give them an opportunity to get screened for colon cancer and know their risks.
A colonoscopy is the best and most effective way to get a colon cancer screening, but it is not the only way. People can also opt for stool testing that can occur every year or every three years if normal, depending on which stool test they choose.
Additionally, people can get scope procedures that still look at part of the lower colon but do not look as far as the colonoscopy. This is called a Flexible Sigmoidoscopy or Flex Sig. A normal Flex Sig for colon cancer screening can be completed every five years.
There are many benefits of getting a colonoscopy outside of purely finding colon cancer. Colonoscopies can also help prevent cancer by removing colon polyps, or little bumps, in the colon that could turn into colon cancer or be concerning for abnormal tissue in general. By removing polyps during a colonoscopy, a person decreases their risk of the polyp developing into colon cancer. But polyps are an abnormality, so they warrant more frequent colonoscopies in order to monitor for polyp growth and abnormal tissue in general.
Ideally, abnormal tissue and lesions are found early in colon cancer, but that is not always the case. Sometimes when people develop colon cancer, they need treatment which can include chemotherapy medications or surgery to remove part of the colon.
No matter the situation, the earlier abnormal colon tissue is discovered, the more treatment options and better recovery someone will have.
If you are over 45 years old and have not had a colonoscopy, talk to your doctor about getting one.
If you have had an abnormal colonoscopy, follow up with your doctor about the next steps, including the next time you should be screening. Additionally, if you have had abnormal colonoscopies, talk to your family members so they know they may need to get potentially earlier screenings. Outside of the normal colon cancer screening based on age and family history ,those with blood in their stool or changes in the bowel moments should talk to their doctor about potentially needing a work up that includes a colonoscopy.
Colonoscopies are important to prevent and treat colon cancer. Getting regular screening helps prevent colon cancer and decrease complications related to colon cancer disease. Know your status today. Get a colonoscopy so you can help prevent and treat colon cancer.
Dr, Aisha Harris, MD is a Flint native and board certified family medicine doctor at Harris Family Health, in Flint. Harris Family Health is a membership-based clinic that provides personalized and full primary care to adults and children. Learn more about Harris Family Health by visiting www.harrisfamilyhealth.com.
Feel free to submit health questions to Dr Harris via theflintcouriernews@gmail.com.
