Colon Cancer is Preventable!

We are a medical group that specializes in the prevention of colon cancer through education and screening. You may call us at (562) 945-4754 or visit our Request an Appointment page to schedule an appointment or obtain more information about our colon cancer prevention services.

FACTS About Colon Cancer

• Colorectal Cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer related death in the United States and Western Europe.
• CRC will occur in approzimately 6% of the adult population.
• Approximately 160,000 new cases of CRC are diagnosed each year in the United States.
• Approximately 50,000 people die each year from CRC.
• Most cases of CRC are preventable.
• Men and women are equally effected.
• Polyps (benign growths) are precursors to CRC and are present in the colon for years before CRC develops.
• Removing polyps removes the risk of CRC.
• 25% of 50 year old people will have precancerous polyps. That number increases to 55% by age 80.
• Polyps and early colon cancers often produce no symptoms.
• Up to 90% of colorectal cancers can be prevented by appropriate screening.

Why Get Screened?

• Polyps are benign growths in the colon that have the potential to transform into cancer.
• Polyps develop in the colon for years before they transform into colorectal cancer (CRC). It takes between 5 and 15 years for polyps to transform into cancer.
• Most polyps and cancers are silent and will only be found through screening.
• Removing polyps prevents them from transforming into colorectal cancer.
• The vast majority of polyps detected through screening can be removed at the time a colonoscopy is performed.
• If colorectal cancer is detected early, it can be cured.

Screening Options

Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT)

The FOBT checks for blood in the stool that is not visible. If present, this could indicate the presence of precancerous polyps or cancer. Any positive test should be followed by a colonoscopy. Studies suggest that FOBT done annually can reduce CRC deaths by about one third.

Flexible Sigmoidoscopy

This uses a flexible, lighted instrument to visually examine the lower one third of the colon. If polyps or cancers are detected, patients are referred for a colonoscopy for more complete examination of the colon and biopsy or removal of any abnormal growths. May reduce colorectal cancer deaths by up to 66%.

Barium Enema

This is an X-ray of the colon and can detect many cancers and larger polyps. Although not as accurate as other screening methods, it may be used in special situations. If polyps or cancers are detected, patients are referred for colonoscopy.

Colonoscopy

A colonoscopy uses a flexible, lighted instrument to visualize the entire colon. Patients are usually sedated for this procedure. Most polyps can be removed and other suspicious abnormalities can be biopsied, destroyed or removed during this examination. Recent studies suggest that colonoscopy screening can reduce colorectal cancer incidence by up to 86% and colorectal cancer mortality by up to 90%.

Who is at Risk for Colorectal Cancer?

Average Risk:

Men and women over the age of 50 years. Although colorectal cancer can rarely occur before the ages of 50, 93% of cases occur in people over the age of 50. The risk of developing colorectal cancer increases with increasing age.

High Risk:

Men and women with a personal history of colon polyps or previous colorectal cancer. Family History of colon polyps or colorectal cancer. History of inflammatory bowel disease (Ulcerative Colitis, Crohn's Disease). Family history of familial polyposis syndrome. Women with a history of breast cancer.

Colorectal Cancer Screening Guidelines

Average Risk:

Screening for colorectal cancer is recommended for average risk individuals beginning at age 50. The following alternative testing is recommended by the American College of Gastroenterology, the Gastrointestinal Consortium, and the American Cancer Society.

High Risk:

Colonoscopy is the screening test of choice for high risk individuals. The age to start screening depends on risk factors.

Screening Saves Lives

Talk to your Doctor

Start the conversation. You may expect your doctor to talk to you about colorectal cancer screening, but bring it up if he or she does not.

Tell your doctor, if you have had blood in your stool, change in bowel habits, or unexplained weight loss.

Ask Your Doctor

• Have I ever been screened?
• When was the last time I was screened?
• Which of the screening options do you recommend and why?

Pick an Option

This is a decision that you and your doctor should make together. No single screening strategy is right for everyone. Make sure you understand your options, what's involved, the risks, the cost and the effectiveness of each screening test.