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Colon cancer, it can be a little sly. The symptoms can be mistaken for other common gut issues & unfortunately that means it can slide in under the radar.
Recent studies show that it is increasingly affecting younger adults, raising a red flag in the medical community.
Colorectal cancer often begins silently as tiny, noncancerous polyps.
Screening is so important because finding polyps early gives us the option of addressing them before they evolve into something that requires more aggressive, and less pleasant measures.
It is already one of the most common cancers in the United States. With 154,270 new cases and 52,900 deaths anticipated by 2025.
Colon cancer remains the third most diagnosed and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among individuals over 50.
The disconcerting part? It's also one of the most treatable cancers if caught early, underscoring the critical importance of regular screenings. Technologies like FIT and Cologuard® offer non-invasive, at-home screening options that could potentially save lives (like yours) by detecting hidden signs of danger.
A FIT (Fecal Immunochemical Test) is an easy, at-home screening for colon cancer that checks stool for hidden human blood, a potential sign of polyps or cancer, using a simple collection kit and a brush or wand.
Cologuard is a non-invasive colon cancer screening test for adults 50 years or older who are at average risk for colon cancer. Using advanced technology to find altered DNA from abnormal cells in the colon, which could be associated with cancer or pre-cancer.
Both are fairly easy and done in the privacy of your home.
It is clear that proactive health screenings are essential if we want to give ourselves the best possible chances to avoid disease, and the largest variety of treatment options through early discovery.
- Bowel habit changes: Persistent diarrhea, constipation, or narrowing of the stool.
- Rectal bleeding: Bright red blood or very dark, tarry stools.
- Abdominal discomfort: Ongoing cramps, gas, pain, or a feeling of fullness/bloating.
- Systemic issues: Unexplained weight loss, weakness, or excessive fatigue often caused by anemia.
Stages
- Stage 0-1: Cancer is limited to the inner lining. The 5-year survival rate is over 91%.
- Stage 2-3: Cancer has grown into the colon wall or spread to nearby lymph nodes. Survival rates range from 65% to 85%.
- Stage 4 (Metastatic): Cancer has spread to distant organs like the liver or lungs. The 5-year survival rate is approximately 13-16%
BE PROACTIVE ABOUT YOUR HEALTH
THE BEST TIME TO LOOK FOR A DISEASE IS BEFORE YOU THINK YOU HAVE ONE.
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