Don't assume you can't get colon cancer because you're a woman. In fact, you're just as likely to develop the disease as any man, disputing the still-held myth that colon cancer is a "man's disease." The message is clear, get screened and take care of yourself, then tell a loved one to get screened too - it could save a life!
Did you know?
Colon cancer is the third most diagnosed cancer in women - after breast and lung cancer Colon cancer has been linked to the "western diet" in women - a diet high in refined flour products, sweets, pastas, baked potatoes and red meat Colon cancer is called a silent disease and symptoms don't always develop until it is difficult to cure Women who have had breast cancer are at slightly higher risk for colon cancer Women who have had their gall bladder removed are at slightly higher risk.
Are there any symptoms with colon cancer?
Sometimes, but they can mimic other colon diseases like irritable bowel syndrome and hemorrhoidal bleeding. Colon cancer symptoms include:
- A change in bowel habits
- Blood in the stool, including microscopic blood in the stool found on rectal examination by your doctor or by a screening stool test
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Stools that are narrower than usual
- Abdominal discomfort, including gas pains, bloating, fullness or cramps, that is worse than usual
- Unexplained weight loss
- Feeling very tired
- Vomiting
- Family history of colorectal cancer
What can I do to reduce my risk?
Eat a diet high in fiber and low in fat Exercise Take calcium supplements Have a colonoscopy at the age of 50 and every ten years after if you have no family history of colon cancer. If there is a family history of colon cancer, you should have a colonoscopy every three years or follow your doctor's recommendations.
What is a colonoscopy?
To look for colon cancer, your physician has to look at the inside of your colon.
A colonoscopy is a procedure that allows your doctor to look at the lining of the colon (large intestine). This is done by inserting a flexible tube, that is about the thickness of your finger, into the anus and advancing it slowly into the rectum and colon. It allows your physician to make a diagnosis and obtain a tissue sample or remove pre-cancerous growths called polyps. Most polyps are not cancerous, but polyps that stay in the colon can become cancer. Early screening helps to reduce the odds of colon cancer.
A colonoscopy is done under light sedation. You will breathe on your own but you won't remember the procedure at all or feel any pain. At Dayton Gastroenterology, colonoscopies are performed in one of our outpatient Endoscopy Centers, located in Beavercreek and Englewood.
What other options do I have?
The tests that find polyps and cancer are a flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, colonoscopy every 10 years, double contrast barium enema every 5 years or CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years. Since colonoscopy is the current gold standard for colon screening, we recommend colonoscopy as the best test for screening in healthy individuals. Patients tell us all the time, "That wasn't bad at all!"
A newer test is called the virtual colonoscopy. Virtual colonoscopy is a Computerized Tomography (CT) scan test where images of the large intestine are taken using CT. A computer then puts the images together to create a view of the inside of the large intestine. Virtual colonography has not been widely adopted yet. It requires bowel prep like a colonoscopy. It requires the insertion of a small tube in the rectum and pumping of air into the colon without sedation, which may be uncomfortable for some women. CT may not detect small polyps (less than 5 mm) and it does not have the ability to remove polyps. It exposes the patient to radiation. Medicare does not currently cover CT, as an initial screening test. If polyps are found, a colonoscopy will need to be performed to remove the polyps.
We will do everything we can to ensure that you have a comfortable procedure. We want to get rid of the worry about colon cancer!
Okay, what should I do?
Protect yourself against colon cancer! Talk to your doctor about getting screened or call our office at (937) 320-5050 or (937) 427-1680 to schedule an appointment yourself.
We understand that the thought of a colonoscopy can be scary and that people avoid it out of fear and embarrassment. However, doesn't your colon deserve the same care and attention as your breasts and cervix, especially since we can prevent a majority of colon cancers from ever forming by doing a colonoscopy?
Rest assured, we are a very experienced, caring group of professional doctors and staff who want to help you stay healthy. For your added convenience and personal comfort, you may select the physician of your choice to ensure your experience is positive.