Colectoral cancer awareness

What does my mother in law Frances L Krug, Audrey Hepburn, and Charles Schulz all have in common?? The sad fact that they all died of colorectal cancer. Knowing this fact I have a few other names to share with you. What does Darryl Strawberry, Sharon Osborne, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and many other individuals have in common? They are all survivors because of early detection and preventative testing.

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. An individual may have colon cancer and not have any signs or symptoms. A colonscopy is the only way to know when it finds pre-cancerous polyps. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer related deaths in the US. These deaths are not warranted and with proper testing and precautions it is 90% curable. If every individual would take advantage of regular screenings the death rate from colon cancer could be cut in half. While some cancer screenings can only detect whether or not there is a problem colonoscopies can actually prevent colorectal cancer this is because any precancerous polyps found are removed during the exam.

Since everyone can get colorectal cancer everyone should be screened. Smokers, people overweight or obese, inactive people, people who consume large amounts of alcohol, people over 50 and those with a family history of colon cancer should be examined. Those who have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes or irritable bowel disease such as colitis or Chrons have an increased risk.

Many think of a colonoscopy in a bad manner. It is done in the privacy of a doctors office by a physician. Patient will be placed on a liquid diet the day before the procedure. The diet will consist of water, clear broth, soda, tea, coffee, clear juice, Jell-O, and Popsicle The patient will take a laxative to empty the bowels so that the colon can be viewed during the procedure. During the procedure the patient will be semi sedated while a colon-scope (a think flexible tube) is inserted. The scope can show the doctors the inner lining of the large intestine, the rectum and colon. The colonscopy screens for cancer, precancerous polyps, ulcers, tumors and inflammation or bleeding

Colorectal cancer is dramatically affecting life as we know it. Rectal cancer affects more than 1.4 million people all over the world. This cancer has rates of mortality and the number is growing. One of the leading forms of cancer in the whole world. Colorectal cancer is "Preventable, Treatable and Beatable."

But let's look at the possibilities. We know that colon cancer is caused by polyps in our colon. But what sort of signs and symptoms should we be aware of if we do have colon cancer

One special lady, my mother in law the lady that I very much considered my mom lived with  and eventually died from colon cancer. She lived with a colostomy for many years before the cancer returned. She fought a hard battle and I loved the fact she was able to know so much of my life. So please if you are in line to and are frightened do not fret for it may save your life. Go get that colonoscopy.