After doctors discovered polyps on his colon in 2002, President George W. Bush brought colon cancer center stage by declaring March Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. The fight against the deadly disease has since then gained momentum thanks to the efforts of celebrity-advocates such as Katie Couric, whose husband died of the disease in 1998. In efforts to further educate the community about colon cancer, Board Certified General Surgeon and Colon and Rectal Surgeon Ricardo Cacdac, M.D., a member of the medical staff at John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital, is offering important tips and guidelines to help prevent this disease.According to the National Cancer Institute, fewer than half of Americans are adequately screened for colon cancer, despite the fact that it claims more lives (60,000 Americans annually), than breast cancer and AIDS combined.
“Colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer killer in the United States, but if detected in its early stages, the disease is 90 percent preventable,” said Dr. Cacdac. “After the age of 50, having a colonoscopy exam performed every 5-10 years is crucial because it gives doctors the best opportunity to diagnose and treat potential cancerous polyps.”
Primary risk factors for developing colorectal cancer include unpreventable triggers, such as family history and age. In fact, 90 percent of colon cancers are diagnosed in people over the age of 50. However, due to improved treatment options and early detection methods the overall death rate from colorectal cancer has been decreasing over the past 15 years. In addition, there are many warning signs and symptoms linked to other digestive disorders as well as colorectal cancer. Dr. Cacdac advises patients to consult their doctors should they be experiencing any of the following indicators:
• Blood in or on the stool and/or rectal bleeding;
• Persistent diarrhea or constipation;
• Stools that are narrower than usual;
• A feeling of an incomplete bowel movement;
• Stomach discomfort, bloating, gas pains; and
• Unexplained weight loss, weakness and fatigue.
To reduce the risk, Dr. Cacdac and the American Cancer Society recommend that patients exercise, eat plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grain foods, and avoid/limit tobacco and alcohol usage.
“Recognizing the risk factors and realizing the importance of early detection enhances colon health and significantly improves survival rates,” he added.
Article provided to the La Quinta Chamber of Commerce – GEM Publication April 2005 page 17.
http://www.lqchamber.com/pdf/gem_apr05.pdf
