Sheldon, Iowa — This month of March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. That means it’s time to tell you that experts say those of us over 50 should get tested for colorectal cancer.
We talked to Sanford Sheldon physician, Dr. Ryan Becker. He says colorectal cancer is the third-most common cancer among men and women in the United States. He says unless they have a reason to get tested before, such as family history, people should start getting screened for colorectal cancer by age 50.
(as said) “There’s a few different options when it comes to colorectal cancer screening. The most commonly known is going to be your colonoscopy. And that there is more invasive obviously when it comes to procedure. It’s definitely the gold standard when it comes to screening. We still try to push that one as best as we can because if we see something we can remove it we can send it off and we can know exactly what we’re working with.”
But, he says, there are also other options.
(as said) “If patients satisfy certain criteria to meet, there are options when it comes to screening as well. One of the more commonly known wants to is this ColoGuard. Some people have seen it on TV when it comes to advertisements when it comes to this little white box at talking legs and arms… that’s another option that can be done as well. We’ve coined it as the take-home test… where you deposit a bowel movement in a pail basically and send it off and it tests for several different markers within the feces itself. And it gives us a either a positive or a negative result and then if it’s negative then it’s every three years when it comes to that. If a colonoscopy is normal and you don’t see any abnormalities it’s every 10 years when it comes to screening there.”
While family history is a big factor with colorectal cancer, Becker says there are ways to decrease your chances.
(as said) “If we stay healthy, if we exercise, and keep our weight in check, that definitely can reduce that just a little bit when it comes to a lot of different things including colon cancer. Smoking can play a role when it comes to that. So if we can either decrease the amount that we’re smoking or else preferably stop altogether. Kind of have Midwestern diet… the meat and potatoes… puts you at slightly elevated risk when it comes to colorectal cancer, but those are small things that we can do that can make a difference. But ultimately, it comes down to screening and just being aware of when we should be screened. Certainly, if you have a family history of colon cancer that will increase your risk.”
Dr. Becker says there are certain factors they watch for.
(as said) “If you have a first-degree relative with high-risk polyps on a colonoscopy or if they’ve had colon cancer, then you may actually start before the age of 50 depending upon when and how that first-degree relative went about their colon cancer. So when it comes to prevention we can do small things. But ultimately it comes down to doing those tests… doing those screening tests… to see if you have any increased risk.”
Becker says if it’s the colonoscopy prep that you dread, there are other options for that than there used to be. He says you’ll hardly notice the procedure itself, as you’ll be under sedation. Basically, you’ll be asleep, says Dr. Becker.
If you’re over 50 and it’s time to schedule your colonoscopy or you’d like more information on the other options, you can call Sanford Sheldon or your medical provider.
