Why You Should Schedule A Colonoscopy
Pictured: Brian Quinn, M.D., Medical Oncologist at Hunterdon Regional Cancer Center
Published March 10, 2009
This March, during National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, Hunterdon Medical Center encourages people in the community to schedule their colonoscopies. Regular screening with a colonoscopy may actually help prevent colorectal cancer or find it in its early stages.
According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer for men and women in the country. The ACS estimated that in 2008 there were about 108,070 new cases of colon cancer and 40,740 new cases of rectal cancer.
Colon cancer begins with a growth, or polyp, that is not yet cancerous. Screening can help your doctor tell whether there is a problem. By performing a colonoscopy, your doctor can find and remove polyps before they become cancerous. In many instances, when people have polyps removed, they do not have an occurrence of colon cancer. In addition, the test can detect early-stage cancer when it is most treatable and when most people have no symptoms.
Fortunately, the death rates from colorectal cancer have been declining for the past 15 years. “Overall, we have seen more and more people getting screened over the years, allowing us to detect polyps, which could be pre-cancerous or early-stage cancers,” says Brian Quinn, M.D., Medical Oncologist at Hunterdon Regional Cancer Center.
Some signs and symptoms of colorectal cancer can include:
- A change in bowel habits such as diarrhea, constipation, or narrowing of the stool that lasts for more than a few days
- A feeling that you need to have a bowel movement that doesn't go away after doing so
- Rectal bleeding, dark stools, or blood in the stool
- Cramping or stomach pain
- Weakness and fatigue
Although these symptoms may indicate other problems, it is best not to ignore them. “You know your body, if you feel something is not right, it is best to seek medical advice,” says Dr. Quinn.
There are also several risk factors for getting colorectal cancer, including:
- Family History: People with a family history of colorectal cancer have a greater risk of being diagnosed with the disease.
- Diet: People who are overweight and obese have a higher risk of developing colorectal cancer.
- Other Health Problems: Diabetics and people who have a history of polyps and inflammatory bowel disease also have an increased risk of the disease.
The ACS says preventing colorectal cancer (and not just finding it early) should be a major reason for getting tested on a regular basis. “Talk to your doctor about potential risk factors and when you should begin colorectal cancer screening,” says Dr. Quinn. “For most people, recommended screenings begin at age 50, but risk factors such as family history, or history of other cancers may mean you should start screening earlier.”
Through the Family Risk Assessment Program at Hunterdon Regional Cancer Center individuals can discuss their family history and individual risk factors to determine if their risk for colon or other cancer is higher than the average individual. Participants are evaluated to determine if they should seek screening earlier or more often than the average individual. The evaluation is provided by an Advanced Practice Nurse and a Certified Genetic Counselor. For more information about this assessment, or to arrange an appointment please call Jackie Allen, RN at 908-237-2330 or Rachel Rando, CGC, at 908-788-2566. Talk to your physician about getting screened for colon cancer. If you need a physician call Hunterdon Medical Center’s Physician Referral Service at 1-800-511-4462.