Embarrassment can't kill you but colorectal cancer can

[Miss Mary]

Excellent cancer awareness article in my local newspaper today. FYI, March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month and since I'm a CC survivor (7 years next month), I always like to get the word out. After I read this article, I realized the author is MY colon specialist! Imagine that.

Mary

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http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/ ... 50394/1090

Embarrassment can't kill you, but colorectal cancer can

BY DR. JANICE RAFFERTY | GUEST COLUMNIST

For most people, talk of "bowel movements" is embarrassing. It's a topic of conversation held only with 3-year-olds who are potty training, not adults in good company. So their solution is to avoid the topic completely.

This avoidance can be deadly. Nearly 150,000 men and women are diagnosed with colon or rectal cancer each year. More than 56,000 will die, making it the second leading cause of death from cancer in the United States.

HIGHLY AVOIDABLE

This is especially frustrating because almost all colon and rectal cancers can be found before they even turn into cancer. In fact, colorectal cancer is one of very few human cancers that have a precancerous stage. That means it can be discovered and eradicated before it becomes deadly.

Unfortunately, fewer than half the people who should be screened for colorectal cancer follow the recommended early detection guidelines. And of those with symptoms of colorectal cancer, the majority wait to get evaluated until after the cancer has spread to lymph nodes, making it much more difficult - if not impossible - to cure.

It's time to change that.

March is colorectal cancer awareness month - the perfect time to learn why screening is so important and become your own health advocates.

HOW YOU CAN SAVE YOURSELF

Here's what you can do to protect yourself:

Get the facts. Two of the primary risk factors for colorectal cancer are age and family history.

Make early detection a priority. Ninety-three percent of colorectal cancer cases are found in men and women 50 or older. So, starting at 50, you should get a regular colonoscopy, an exam that allows the physician to inspect your entire colon for potentially cancerous growths. It could literally save your life. The procedure is done with sedation, so you'll experience little discomfort, and the average exam takes about 20 to 30 minutes. People with a family history of colon polyps or colon cancer should begin screening at age 40, or earlier if young relatives are affected. Those who suffer from inflammatory bowel disease - a condition in which the colon is chronically inflamed - are at higher risk and should be examined periodically as well.

Watch for physical changes. Colorectal cancer can send very subtle signals, or be completely silent. You should consult your physician if you have blood in your stool, a persistent change in bowel habits, unexplained weight loss or unusual pain in your stomach.

Adopt a healthy lifestyle. Research has shown that diets high in fat, protein, meat and alcohol may increase your risk for colorectal cancer. People in this category are often getting insufficient levels of calcium, folate and vitamin D, which contribute to balanced health.

You should eat a lower-fat diet filled with colorful and leafy vegetables - they offer the most beneficial nutrients - and high-fiber foods such as oatmeal, beans and citrus fruits. Fiber-rich diets help keep your digestive tract healthy, stabilize blood sugar levels and control cholesterol. You should also make exercise a priority and stop smoking. Both decisions will decrease your risk for colorectal cancer and improve your overall health.

As a colorectal surgeon who sees cancer every day, I encourage you to talk to your family and friends about their colorectal cancer risk. Keep your message simple, but make it clear to anyone you care about: No one dies of embarrassment.

Dr. Janice Rafferty is associate professor of surgery at the University of Cincinnati and chief of colorectal surgery at Christ Hospital.

[GulfBreezer]

WONDERFUL ARTICLE MARY!!!!!

You are a true insapiration and motivator to those of us who have the "ignore it till it affects me" attitude. You are saving lives without even knowing it!!

What a beautiful thing!!

[Miss Mary]

Sandi - thanks! I am relentless at times. Mine was caught early, tumor an inch in size, not baseball like nurses told they usually are. Stage 1, not 3 or 4 which is the norm. I had many hospital personnel come into my room and tell me how early they caught it. Why did I see a doctor so soon? What prompted me? Three things really - 1. my dad had colon cancer but his heart gave out before the Stage 4 CC would take his life. 2. I had 2 benign polyps found during a colonosocopy 2 years before and 3. Intuition, voice inside, my gut - something was telling me things were not right. I would have to say #3 is what got me to the doctor. A feeling I couldn't shake until I was diagnosed. I hoped it wouldn't be cancer but after my biopsy and the exam room's team (Gastroenologist, nurses, etc.) reaction at seeing my tumor during a Flex-sig, I knew in my gut it was cancer. When a room full of people go from discussing current events and the wx to sheer, extreme worry on their faces and worried exchanged looks, you know it's something to worry about. I knew in that instant my life would be changed - forever.

But I was Stage 1 and I'm cancer free, almost 7 years later.

I've had 7 colonscopies - and can attest the test in itself is ~nothing~ to worry about. Honest. When you hear people talk about what an ordeal an colonoscopy was, they are almost always describing the laxative prep you take the day before. Not the test. I have been sedated each and every time, have never felt a thing. Awakened in the recovery area and slept the day away. So please if anyone is putting off scheduling this very important test, don't! It could literally save your life. And it's only 1.5 days out of your life.

Mary

[george_r_1961]

Mary I had my colonoscopy a year and a half ago. I can attest as well that the fasting and "cleaning out" preparatory to the test is the worst part. I was so heavily sedated during the test that I remember nothing.

[Stephanie]

I must thank Miss Mary for being a BIG HELP for me last year when I had a scare - turned out to be a fissue and hemoroids. I have IBS and my doctor was going to have me start colonoscopies when I was 45, so I was a few years early. My IBS runs on my father's side. It does not necessarily lead to IBD or colon cancer but it's still needs to monitored. My nephew has Crohn's Disease and he's doing fine with medication.

I, like George and Miss Mary can attest to the fact that it is the prep that is the worst part.

Like any other illness and/or disease that is considered "icky" or taboo to talk about (depression, IBD/IBS, etc.), it NEEDS to be discussed more and more to make everyone aware about them so they won't feel embarrassed to to see a doctor.

Thanks Miss Mary for sharing this. It must've made you proud to see it was written by your own doctor.

[cajungal]

My grandmother died of colon cancer 3 years ago. And it also runs high on my dad's side as well. I suffer from constant stomach problems. Really bad IBS. My doctor told me they would like to see me have one by the time I am 30. And I turn 30 in only 3 and half months. I have been in and out of the emergency rooms and doctors office due to my constant battle with IBS. I don't want to ever go through what my grandmother had to go through. They caught her way too late. I actually had one at age 21 because I was having terrible stomach pains and they just wanted to make sure. It was very hard. And I was terribly sick and it hurt so bad that I wanted to scream, but I survived. And thank goodness they did not find anything wrong with me. Just diagnosed with IBS that I will probably have to live with the rest of my life.

[Stephanie]

My grandmother died of colon cancer 3 years ago. And it also runs high on my dad's side as well. I suffer from constant stomach problems. Really bad IBS. My doctor told me they would like to see me have one by the time I am 30. And I turn 30 in only 3 and half months. I have been in and out of the emergency rooms and doctors office due to my constant battle with IBS. I don't want to ever go through what my grandmother had to go through. They caught her way too late. I actually had one at age 21 because I was having terrible stomach pains and they just wanted to make sure. It was very hard. And I was terribly sick and it hurt so bad that I wanted to scream, but I survived. And thank goodness they did not find anything wrong with me. Just diagnosed with IBS that I will probably have to live with the rest of my life.

More than likely, you will have to live with it the rest of your life. I just hope that someday your doctors will be able to find something to make your symptoms less painful.