Colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer killer in the U.S.
In the month of March we are working to increase awareness that lives can be saved with screening. and colorectal cancer often can be prevented.
There is no shame in preventing cancer, and there are no reasons not to undergo screening. I have done my colonoscopy myself since I have a family history of colon cancer. It was pretty easy. The worst was the preparation a day before…which, in fact, was my day in Norris clinic. When I can do it, you can.
Regular screening tests can find precancerous polyps so they can be removed before they turn into cancer. We know that screening with colonoscopies can also find colorectal cancer early when treatment can cure the cancer.
Colon cancer is unique because usually it takes 5-10 years to develop. The first step is a polyp, a benign growth that looks almost like a mushroom. However, it takes a long time before some of these polyps can turn into cancer. It is easy to find these polyps and remove them during colonoscopy. Polyps often have no symptoms at all, which means we should not wait for symptoms but undergo screening at age 50 as baseline and repeat it every 3-5 years.
If doctors find polyps, depending on the type, they may repeat the colonoscopy in one year to make sure the don’t grow back fast.
Colorectal cancer may not cause symptoms, especially at first. Colon cancer affects both men and women, therefore there is no excuse for men or women not to be screened. Most insurance plans, including Medicare, help pay for colorectal cancer screening.
For some people colonoscopies are just too threatening. Virtual colonoscopy is being developed. which is a CT scan looking into your colon. So no scope up your behind. However the colon still needs to be clean. and the preparation is the same for colonoscopy. If they find something on the virtual you have to undergo the real one.
The Center of Disease Control (CDC) has asked celebrities such as Jimmy Smits, Diane Keaton and Katie Couric to speak out to raise awareness of this preventable disease. Check out the Screen for Life website.
In March, we at USC invite all our patients for a reception with wine and food and talk about our progress in the clinic and the laboratory. To talk in a causal setting without the white coats or receiving chemotherapy is a pleasant surprise. This has become one of my favorite events.
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