thomasdevos
10-05-2009, 12:06 AM
<strong>The categories at risk of developing colorectal cancer</strong>
Colorectal cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in the United States. Although colorectal cancer is highly treatable in its early stages, when it is diagnosed late, the disease becomes fatal. Statistics show that more than 150,000 new annual cases of colorectal cancer diagnosed in the United States. Although this type of cancer can be effectively prevented, it represents more than 50,000 deaths among the U.S. population each year.
Colorectal cancer is the highest incidence in people whose age is over 50 years and it is more often observed in the obese, smokers and physically inactive. Although it can occur in all ethnic groups, this type of cancer is very common in African-Americans. Statistics indicate that in recent years, the incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer have risen sharply among African American. Research findings reveal that African American women are at high risk of developing colorectal cancer due to obesity, poor diet and physical inactivity.
Doctors say that colorectal cancer can be treated effectively if the disease is diagnosed in a timely manner. They argue that modern medicine has new reliable means of preventing the progression of colorectal cancer and that people should be examined for malignant potential more often. Regular screening for colorectal cancer is recommended for anyone at risk of developing this cancer. The categories at risk of developing colorectal cancer are those whose age is over 50, obese people, people with gastrointestinal illness, chronic smokers, people who have a family history of adenomatous polyposis, non-polyposis colon cancer syndrome or Gardner's Peutz-Jeghers syndrome and those who underwent surgery for colon cancer.
Colorectal cancer screening can be achieved through multiple methods. At present, the procedures used in cancer screening are fast, safe and reliable. In addition, the costs of a comprehensive annual examination for colorectal cancer are very low. A comprehensive review should include tests for occult blood in stool, flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy and barium enema. These tests can easily detect the presence of malignant colon polyps, tumors and cancers at an early stage colorectal cancers.
Today, there are three basic programs used in colorectal cancer screening. The first program involves the testing of occult blood in stool and sigmoidoscopy. Search for fecal occult blood must be repeated each year, while sigmoidoscopy should be repeated every five years. The second program involves an initial examination of the total colon, followed by the distal colon barium enema every five years. The last program recommended by oncologists, involves an initial review of the total colon, followed by a colon examination every ten years. What methods of screening for colorectal cancer provide similar results, patients are allowed to choose anyone of these three programs, provided you follow the schedule recommended by their doctor.
Reference Site:
colon cancer treatment (http://colon-cancer-treatment-cure.com)
www.nlm.nih.gov (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000262.htm)
en.wikipedia.org (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colorectal_cancer)
www.cancer.gov (http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/colon-and-rectal)
medicinenet.com (http://www.medicinenet.com/colon_cancer/article.htm)
Colorectal cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in the United States. Although colorectal cancer is highly treatable in its early stages, when it is diagnosed late, the disease becomes fatal. Statistics show that more than 150,000 new annual cases of colorectal cancer diagnosed in the United States. Although this type of cancer can be effectively prevented, it represents more than 50,000 deaths among the U.S. population each year.
Colorectal cancer is the highest incidence in people whose age is over 50 years and it is more often observed in the obese, smokers and physically inactive. Although it can occur in all ethnic groups, this type of cancer is very common in African-Americans. Statistics indicate that in recent years, the incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer have risen sharply among African American. Research findings reveal that African American women are at high risk of developing colorectal cancer due to obesity, poor diet and physical inactivity.
Doctors say that colorectal cancer can be treated effectively if the disease is diagnosed in a timely manner. They argue that modern medicine has new reliable means of preventing the progression of colorectal cancer and that people should be examined for malignant potential more often. Regular screening for colorectal cancer is recommended for anyone at risk of developing this cancer. The categories at risk of developing colorectal cancer are those whose age is over 50, obese people, people with gastrointestinal illness, chronic smokers, people who have a family history of adenomatous polyposis, non-polyposis colon cancer syndrome or Gardner's Peutz-Jeghers syndrome and those who underwent surgery for colon cancer.
Colorectal cancer screening can be achieved through multiple methods. At present, the procedures used in cancer screening are fast, safe and reliable. In addition, the costs of a comprehensive annual examination for colorectal cancer are very low. A comprehensive review should include tests for occult blood in stool, flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy and barium enema. These tests can easily detect the presence of malignant colon polyps, tumors and cancers at an early stage colorectal cancers.
Today, there are three basic programs used in colorectal cancer screening. The first program involves the testing of occult blood in stool and sigmoidoscopy. Search for fecal occult blood must be repeated each year, while sigmoidoscopy should be repeated every five years. The second program involves an initial examination of the total colon, followed by the distal colon barium enema every five years. The last program recommended by oncologists, involves an initial review of the total colon, followed by a colon examination every ten years. What methods of screening for colorectal cancer provide similar results, patients are allowed to choose anyone of these three programs, provided you follow the schedule recommended by their doctor.
Reference Site:
colon cancer treatment (http://colon-cancer-treatment-cure.com)
www.nlm.nih.gov (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000262.htm)
en.wikipedia.org (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colorectal_cancer)
www.cancer.gov (http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/colon-and-rectal)
medicinenet.com (http://www.medicinenet.com/colon_cancer/article.htm)