Healthcore - Colon Cancer Self Screen

Overview | Symptoms | Self-Screen

Overview
Colon cancer is the third leading cause of death. The American Cancer Society expects an estimated 50,400 men to be diagnosed with colon cancer in 2004. Of these new cases, about 28,320 will die of the disease. In the last 30 years, mortality rates have fallen 31 percent for women diagnosed with colon cancer. Unfortunately, that decline does not apply to men, whose mortality rate from colon cancer has only dropped by 9 percent.
[top]

Symptoms
Colon cancer is most often detected in men who have a personal or family history of colorectal cancer or polyps, and inflammatory bowel disease. Other factors that make you at risk include physical inactivity and a high-fat diet and/or a low-fiber diet.

Warning signs of colon cancer include rectal bleeding, blood in the stool, or a change in bowel habits. Most often, however, colon cancer has no symptoms until it is too late. The American Cancer Society recommends a stool blood test and a sigmoidoscopy after the age of 50 to detect colon cancer in patients who don't show any symptoms. These tests offer the best opportunity to remove polyps before they become cancerous.
[top]

Self-Screen
After a bowel movement, observe the stool for blood. Traces of blood in the stool should be reported to your physician. Further tests, like a flexible sigmoidoscopy or a colonoscopy may be required to determine the presence of cancer. Again, early detection is key to catching the cancer before it spreads.
[top]

Need more information on health and wellness?
Click here for information on diet, nutrition and health resource books. Learn when to see the doctor and what causes symptoms.

Practice management services provided by The Health Group, Dallas, Texas.