Most people just don’t realize that colon cancer is incredibly widespread. According to Dr. Kalle Kang, a gastroenterologist with Overlake Internal Medicine, there are 150,000 new cases of colon cancer each year, compared with 80,000 annual cases of breast cancer. “We need to get the word out that colon cancer screening is an important part of your health,” said Dr. Kang. “It can be tragic to ignore this.” Women especially tend to have the impression that colon cancer screening is less important than mammography, but that just isn’t true. It is estimated that only 10 percent of the population is actually being screened appropriately for colon
cancer. Colon cancer screening is a complex subject, so it is important to talk with your primary care doctor about what technique is right for you, based on your age, family history and the presence of any symptoms. The first step, according to Dr. Walter Smith, an Overlake oncologist, is a digital rectal exam. “But there are many other tests that are helpful, including a fecal hidden blood test, flexible sigmoidoscopy and the more well-known colonoscopy.”
In case any of these thoughts make you cringe, stop and consider this: Colon cancer is one of the most treatable cancers there is, but only when it is caught in time. These screens are all well tolerated for most people, particularly in the case of colonoscopy, which is performed under sedation. In the early stages of the disease, when the cancer is confined to the inner surface of the colon, treatment is highly effective. However, when cancer cells have penetrated the colon wall and invaded neighboring organs and lymph nodes, it is much more difficult to treat.
HELPFUL WEB SITES
Overlake Hospital www.overlakehospital.org Offers a full range of advanced medical services to the Puget Sound region.
American Cancer Society www.cancer.org The American Cancer Society (ACS) is committed to fighting cancer through balanced
programs of research, education, patient service, advocacy and
rehabilitation.
Colonoscopy is usually recommended once every 10 years for patients age 50 and older. If you have a close family member (like a parent or sibling), who has had colon cancer, the recommendation is to begin colonoscopy screening 10 years prior to the relative’s diagnosis, and every five years thereafter.
THE FACTS ABOUT COLON CANCER Many people have small, non-cancerous (or benign) clumps of cells in their intestine called adenomatous polyps. Sometimes, these polyps become cancerous. Polyps may be quite small and produce few, if any symptoms. The only way to detect them is through techniques like a colonoscopy, when the doctor can diagnosis and also remove anything that looks suspicious. The symptoms of colon cancer can be quite subtle, so it is important to pay attention to your body and talk to your doctor if you experience a change in bowel habits, blood in your stool (which may or may not be caused by hemorrhoids), persistent cramping, gas or abdominal pain.
Your doctor will likely talk with you about your family history. For people with first-degree relatives with the disease (a sibling or parent), the lifetime risk of developing colon cancer is between 12 and 18 percent, almost four times greater than for the general population. Remember that colon cancer can strike at any age; it is not just confined to adults over age 50. There are concrete steps that will help prevent colon cancer from catching up with you. Eat plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables and avoid fatty foods. A diet high in fiber is good for your system and can help prevent
cancer. Reduce alcohol consumption, stop smoking and exercise. It helps your digestion and also can strengthen the immune system. If you need to find a gastroenterologist near work or home, there are offices around the Eastside, including Issaquah. Call the Overlake Physician Referral line at 425-688-5211. For more information on colon cancer and overall gastrointestinal issues, visit www.overlakehospital.org and click on the Health and Wellness link.
