Sioux City, Iowa. For immediate release. The June E. Nylen Cancer Center, St. Luke's Regional Medical Center, Mercy Medical Center and the Siouxland Surgery Center have joined forces to promote March as Colon Cancer Awareness month.
"The No Symptoms Required initiative is part of an Iowa Department of Public Health awareness campaign," says Tracy Shook, Director of Marketing at the June E. Nylen Cancer Center. "The premise of the campaign is to raise awareness to encourage everyone over the age of 50 to be screened for colorectal cancer."
According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention approximately 150,000 people are diagnosed with colorectal cancer each year, and nearly 50,000 die. Proper screening could eliminate many new cases, because regular colon checks can remove pre cancerous growths called polyps before the cancer has time to form.
"You don't need symptoms to have colorectal cancer," states Leslie Heying, PR Coordinator at St. Luke's Regional Medical Center. "It's the second most common cancer in the US for both men and women. But screening can detect cancer early, or even help prevent it."
In addition to regular screenings, knowing the signs and symptoms of colorectal cancer along with reducing your risk of developing cancer are important steps to take.
Know the Signs, Heed the Warnings
Although some patients never experience any symptoms of colon cancer until the cancer has advanced to a late stage, there are several signs and symptoms that you should report to your physician if you have noticed them for more than two weeks. These may indicate the presence of colon cancer:
• A change in bowel habits: diarrhea, constipation, or stool consistency changes
• Narrow, "pencil-thin" stools
• Rectal bleeding: blood in your stool on more than one occasion
• Persistent, abdominal discomfort, such as cramps, bloating, or pain
• A feeling that your bowel doesn't completely empty
• Sudden, unexplained weight loss or loss of appetite
• Constant fatigue
Easy Steps to Prevent Colon Cancer
It's never easy to change your lifestyle, but making several relatively simple lifestyle modifications may significantly lower your risk of developing colon cancer. Professionals recommend the following:
Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy body weight: Controlling your weight can reduce your risk. Try to exercise at least 30 minutes on most days. Staying active stimulates movement through your bowel, reducing the time it may be exposed to harmful substances that may cause cancer.
Limit fat: High-fat diets increase one's risk of colon cancer. Limit foods from animal sources that are high in fat, especially saturated fat, such as red meat, milk, cheese, ice cream, and coconut and palm oil. Restrict fat intake to less than 30 percent of daily calories.
Eat foods rich in fiber: Dietary fiber may provide protection from colon and other cancers. Fiber reduces constipation, which irritates the inside wall of the colon. Try to get 25 to 35 grams of fiber in your daily diet.
Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables: These contain vitamins, minerals, fibers, and antioxidants, which may protect you from cancer.
"Colon cancer is also one of the most curable types of cancer if it is diagnosed early. When detected at its earliest stages, chances for a cure are as high as 90 percent. There are several excellent screening and diagnostic methods to detect colon cancer early, before it has spread to vital organs," says Barb Flynn, Community Education Coordinator at Mercy Medical Center. "There are also a variety of simple steps you can take to help prevent it. Learning about the risk factors, knowing the signs and symptoms, and having regular screenings for colon cancer are your best defenses against this all-too-common cancer."
Screening for colorectal cancer should begin at age 50 and then every five years after that. If there is a family history of colorectal cancer, begin screening before age 50. African Americans should begin screening at age 45 and then every five years.
There are several screening options available and most insurance companies help cover the cost of the screening. Contact your health care provider to schedule your screening today.
.
For more information please contact Tracy Shook at 712-252-9426, Barb Flynn at 279-2944 or Leslie Heying at 279-3481.
