Everyone is at risk for colorectal cancer.
Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in the United States today. Both men and women are equally at risk of developing cancer in their colon or rectum.
Early detection often leads to full recovery.
Most colon cancer begins as small, precancerous polyps in the colon. When left untreated, the polyps can grow, develop cancer, and spread.
Fortunately, most cases of colon cancer are preventable and treatable when caught early on through screening. Screening allows us to find and remove the polyps to prevent cancer from developing or to catch it in its earliest stages.
Colon cancer screening saves lives.
Regular screening is the key to avoiding and beating a colon cancer diagnosis. Most people do not have any signs or symptoms of colon cancer early on. By the time symptoms begin to appear, the cancer may have already begun to spread.
The sooner colon cancer is detected, the easier it is to treat.
The American Cancer Society recommends that colorectal cancer screening should start at age 50, or as early as 45 depending on high risk factors and family history.
Atchison Hospital offers 3 types of colon cancer screening.
At the Atchison Hospital, we offer the following types of colon cancer screenings:
- Colonoscopy: Colonoscopy is the the most reliable way to prevent and detect colon cancer as it both finds and removes the precancerous or cancerous polyps.
- Fecal blood occult stool testing: Fecal blood occult stool testing is a screening used to detect hidden (occult) blood in your stool, which can indicate the presence of cancer or polyps in the colon.
- Stool-DNA testing: Stool-DNA testing is a noninvasive screening that detects abnormal DNA and trace amounts of occult blood in the stool sample that can indicate colon cancer or colon polyps.
Schedule your colon cancer screening today.
Don’t delay. Most colon cancers are preventable, treatable, and beatable.
Talk to your primary care provider to discuss which screening option is right for you and schedule your appointment today.
