By Dr. Kwadwo Agyei-Gyamfi, MD, MHS.
Gastroenterologist, Holzer Clinic.

Once again March is here with us. It is our Colorectal Cancer (CRC) awareness month. This national recognized CRC awareness month is to help increase the awareness of this type of cancer in the community. The primary goal will be to reduce the incidence of this cancer in the community by encouraging more people to go for screening. The secondary goal is early detection. We all may have known a relative, friend, co-worker or associate who may have had colorectal cancer. You can prevent this disease or detect it early if you know your risks and/or follow the advice of your doctor, friend or relative to have the screening.

Colorectal cancer is the second cause of cancer deaths in the United States. It is said to claim about 10% of all cancer deaths.

The following cancer screening guidelines are recommended for those people at average risk for cancer (unless otherwise specified) and without any specific symptoms.

People who are at increased risk for certain cancers may need to follow a different screening schedule, such as starting at an earlier age or being screened more often. Those with symptoms that could be related to cancer should see their doctor right away.

Beginning at age 50, both men and women at average risk for developing colorectal cancer should use one of the screening tests below. The tests that are designed to find both early cancer and polyps are preferred if these tests are available to you and you are willing to have one of these more invasive tests. Talk to your doctor about which test is best for you.

• flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years *
• colonoscopy every 10 years
• double contrast barium enema every 5 years *
• CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years *

• fecal occult blood test (FOBT) every year *,**
• fecal immunochemical test (FIT) every year *,**
• stool DNA test (sDNA), interval uncertain *

*  Colonoscopy should be done if test results are positive.
** For FOBT or FIT used as a screening test, the take-home multiple sample method should be used. A FOBT or FIT done during a digital rectal exam in the doctor's office is not adequate for screening

People should talk to their doctor about starting colorectal cancer screening earlier and/or being screened more often if they have any of the following colorectal cancer risk factors:

• a personal history of colorectal cancer or adenomatous polyps
• a personal history of chronic inflammatory bowel disease (Crohns disease or ulcerative colitis)
• a strong family history of colorectal cancer or polyps (cancer or polyps in a first-degree relative [parent, sibling, or child] younger than 60 or in 2 or more first-degree relatives of any age)
• a known family history of hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes such as f amilial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC).

Prevention and Early detection is the key. It is the primary goal in our fight against colorectal cancer. Removing polyps from the colon and rectum is the only way this cancer can be prevented.

Hopefully this article will raise the awareness that this cancer is preventable. Prevention is always better and cheaper than cure. It is never “too late” to get screened. The earlier the age at which you screen, the better your chance at preventing and also detecting colon cancer early.

PLEASE get screened. Let us join together and drive out COLORECTAL CANCER from our communities, families and homes. Those who have had screening should encourage their spouses, siblings, children, parents, relatives and friends to get some form of screening.

TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT COLORECTAL CANCER SCREENING AS SOON AS POSSIBLE IF YOU FALL INTO THE RISK CATEGORIES MENTIONED ABOVE.

Coming soon is the new Holzer Clinic Open Access Colon Cancer Screening Colonoscopy program. Look out for details.

Holzer Clinic… Medical Excellence, Local Caring.

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Holzer Clinic is a multiple discipline health care system of over 140 board certified physicians providing care in more than thirty areas of expertise. With nine locations throughout southeastern Ohio and western West Virginia, Holzer Clinic provides “Medical Excellence, coupled with Local Caring”.

Holzer Clinic is accredited by the Accreditation Association of Ambulatory Health Care.

If you would like more information about this topic, or to schedule an interview, please contact MarJean Kennedy @ 740-441-3288 or MKennedy@holzerclinic.com