Some symptoms of
colon cancer are: Change of bowel habits, passing blood in the stool, unexplained weight loss,
unexplained anemia, and abdominal pain. Please note that there can be other
reasons for these symptoms besides cancer.
Colon cancer screening before symptoms occur is important
because symptoms usually occur only when the cancer
is advanced. The best time for curing colon cancer
is when the cancer is very small and probably not causing
any noticeable problems.
Recommendations: It has been recommended that men
and women with average risks of colon cancer start
screening at age 50. The are various screening methods
available including: fecal occult blood tests (checking
the bowel movement for microscopic blood), sigmoidoscopy,
colonoscopy, and x-ray studies of the colon. Your health
care provider can explain each screening method and
help you decide what screening method would be best
in your case.
Those individuals with family histories of colon cancer
and those with symptoms or high risk factors may need
to be screened at an earlier age.
Prevention:
There is evidence that diets, high in calcium and
fiber, and eating vegetables helps to prevent
cancer. Taking aspirin daily is felt to help prevent
colon cancer. Stopping smoking, exercise and maintaining
a normal weight are also helpful. While family medical
history can’t be changed, there are many lifestyle
changes as listed above that can reduce your risk of
colon cancer.
Please check with your health care provider before
starting on aspirin or an exercise program. |
