Valley Health Shenandoah Memorial Hospital issued the following announcement on March 9
Did you know that one in 23 men and one in 25 women will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC) in their lifetime? It’s the second leading cancer-related killer in the U.S.
Despite these statistics, there is good news. A colorectal cancer screening can detect a problem early when it is most treatable. As early detection awareness grows, it’s estimated that there are over 1.5 million colorectal cancer survivors in the U.S.
Knowing these symptoms could help you catch CRC at an early stage:
- An ongoing change in bowel habits
- Stools that are narrower than usual
- Blood in stool
- Rectal bleeding
- Frequent gas, bloating, fullness, or cramping
- Unexplained weight loss
- Constant weakness and fatigue.
- Age
- Personal history of polyps or cancer
- Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
- Family history and genetics
- Smoking, excessive alcohol consumption
- Fatty diet
- Obesity
The American Cancer Society updated it guidelines in 2018 to include a larger age group as researchers have seen an increasing risk of colorectal cancer in younger adults.
The most thorough screening is an outpatient colonoscopy. Another option is a hemocult test done in the privacy and comfort of your own home.
Ask your provider if scheduling a colorectal cancer screening is right for you. If you don’t have a provider, visit our website to find one closest to you.
Early colorectal cancer diagnosis is important, as most cases are treatable and beatable!
Original source can be found here.
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