March is colorectal cancer awareness month which means it’s also time to kick embarrassment and fear to the curb and get screened!
Colorectal cancer is a highly curable cancer because of its high early detection rate and yet it’s the second leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. Those statistics show that far too many Americans are still not participating in regular colorectal cancer screenings. The Colorectal Cancer Alliance notes that with early detection, colorectal cancer has a 90% survival rate but the Alliance also estimates that 33% of eligible adults are not getting screened!
Why?
Let’s be honest, colorectal cancer screening is not exactly dinner-table conversation but if it can detect cancer in its earliest and most treatable stages, it’s a conversation every adult should be having…with their healthcare provider, their loved ones, their co-workers and their friends. There is no reason to let embarrassment and fear claim your life with colorectal cancer.
You should begin colorectal screening at age 45, unless you have a history of colorectal cancer, have certain risk factors or are experiencing symptoms, in which case your doctor may recommend screening at an earlier age. That screening is most commonly a colonoscopy which is considered the best screening option available today and uses a flexible tube with a camera inserted through the rectum and into the colon to provide a video image of the large intestine. Your doctor will be looking for anything unusual such as polyps—small growths that could turn into cancer—which can be removed during the colonoscopy. Throughout the entire procedure, you will be under light sedation and will feel absolutely nothing. The procedure is safe, quick, very common, and depending on the report, may only need to be repeated every 10 years.
Most people will agree that the hardest part of a colonoscopy is the preparation leading up to it. Your doctor will provide you with a laxative protocol that will begin the day before your colonoscopy to ensure the procedure provides clear images of your intestine. After your colonoscopy, you can go right back to normal eating.
Colorectal cancer will claim over 50,000 lives this year alone, but yours doesn’t need to be one of them!
The EWTF Health Plan covers routine and medically necessary colonoscopy for all plan participants. To learn more about coverage, visit the EWTF Health Plan’s Summary Plan Description at https://www.ewtf.org/health-benefits-spd/schedule-of-benefits/.
Gut Check
When it comes to your gut, it’s easy to pass symptoms off as “nervous stomach,” a stomach bug, food poisoning, or stress. But what if your gut is telling you it’s something else? Colorectal cancer signs to watch for include:
- A change in bowel habits, including diarrhea, constipation, narrowing of the stools and feeling like your bowels are not completely emptying after using the bathroom
- Abdominal discomfort including pain, nausea, cramping, bloating or feeling unusually full
- Rectal bleeding that leaves blood in the toilet, in your stool, or on toilet paper
- Weakness and/or fatigue and shortness of breath
- Unexpected weight loss
Consider the Risk
Risk factors for colorectal cancer include:
- Age: Most colorectal cancer is diagnosed in people over age 50.
- Family history: A first-degree relative (parent, sibling or child) with a history of colorectal cancer or colorectal polyps increases your risk.
- Hereditary cancer syndrome which is inherited genetic changes that increase the risk for colorectal cancer.
- Obesity
- Tobacco use
- Diet: Eating a lot of red meat, processed meat and grilled or charred meat increases your risk.
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease such as Crohn’s Disease or ulcerative colitis
- Race: Black men and women have higher rates of colorectal cancer.
- Personal history of colorectal polyps
- Heavy alcohol use
- Lack of physical activity
Trending Among the Young
In contrast to declining rates in older adults, doctors are discovering that colorectal cancer rates are rising among younger adults, those under the age of 50, which makes screening at the earliest recommended age extremely important. This form of colorectal cancer is referred to as young-onset colorectal cancer. It’s believed that colorectal cancer rates are rising among this population because symptoms are not being recognized early, and screenings are being delayed, which means cancer is being diagnosed at more advanced stages. Even though 45 is the age at which regular colorectal cancer screening is recommended, if you are experiencing signs or symptoms of abnormalities or discomfort, at any age, speak with your doctor!