BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month. The American Cancer Society estimates more than 800 people across Idaho will hear the devastating news that they have colon cancer this year. Doctors say there are things you can do to increase your odds of survival.
Dr. John Dever,a gastroenterologist at Saltzer Health, an Intermountain Healthcare Company, says, "Colonoscopies save lives. If you're of screening age, come in, be evaluated, and get your screening test."
Doctor Dever says screening for colon cancer is critical for adults 45 and over. Catching it early will help doctors act on it.
If the screening age of 45 is new to you, that is because national guidelines have changed. Dr. Dever says, "People younger than 50 were getting colon cancer at an increasing rate."
Symptoms of colon cancer vary. "They can include abdominal pain, weight loss, rectum bleeding, a number of symptoms,"says Dr. Dever. "If you're in doubt, and you have ongoing symptoms, again, I strongly recommend seeing your provider."
Dr. Dever says family history is also an important factor and something you should talk about with your doctor.
If you feel uneasy about getting a colonoscopy, you should also talk to your doctor. "The bowel prep is something that some individuals don't tolerate so well, but we have some tricks up our sleeves, and by doing the coloscopies, it saves lives," says Dr. Dever.
One alternative is the fit test or the "Fecal immunochemical test, and that is a stool-based test," says Dr. Dever. "It's the only other test besides colonoscopy that occupies the top tier for screening tests." It is only diagnostic, so if you get the fit and it's positive, you still need the colonoscopy.
Prevention begins with getting plenty of sleep and eating healthy foods. According to Dr. Dever, about 1/3rd of people will develop cancers over the course of their lifetime.
If you do get a cancer diagnosis, there is hope, especially if caught early.
"There can be surgery, there are forms of treatment. If you catch it late, obviously, we are going to be behind the ball, and it's going to be more difficult to give you lasting treatment." That is why Dr. Dever says it all comes back to early detection.
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