By Karla Sullivan
March awareness brings definition to the second leading cancer cause of death in the United States according to the Center for Disease Control but early screening can lead to a cure. If you are 50 or older, polyps can be identified on the colon and removed before a benign tumor becomes cancer. Most insurance plans, including Medicare, help pay for colorectal cancer screening.
Signs and symptoms can vary in the early stages; many comment that there are no symptoms that is why it can be misdiagnosed.
· A change in your bowel habits either diarrhea or constipation
· Rectal bleeding or blood in stool
· Cramps, gas or pain
· Feeling that you bowel doesn’t empty
· Fatigue and weakness
· Unexplained weight loss
If cancer is located and small, it can be removed during your screening which is a colonoscopy. Laparoscopic surgery is also an option or invasive surgery depending on how the cancer has grown. This may include either a partial colostomy to remove a part of your colon or a permanent colostomy for the elimination of body waste into a bag.
Chemotherapy drugs , radiation therapy or both are usually given after surgery to make sure the cancer does not spread.
Colon/rectal cancer often return months or years after treatment. This is called recurrent or metastatic cancer which the exact cause is not known but the cancer is generally more advanced when it was first discovered.
Elizabeth Montgomery, 1960’s highly acclaimed actress known for her sitcom role in the TV series Bewitched, died of complications due to metastatic colon cancer that had spread to her liver.
According to the CDC, about 140,000 Americans are diagnosed with colorectal cancer and more than 50,000 people die from it. But colorectal cancer screening can save lives. If you have not had a colonoscopy and you are over 50, schedule one with your doctor today. Some may be at higher risk if having a personal family history or inflammatory bowel disease.
CDC also provides funding to 25 states and 4 tribes across the United States to increase screening rates for low income men and woman. Contact them for more information about local programs in your area.
Colon Cancer Alliance offer opportunities to get involved in the March activities which can include sharing your own story or dressing in blue on March 7th to raise awareness of the disease; spreading the word about colon cancer. If you would like to make a donation through their legacy society, you can give a planned gift such as a life insurance policy to help assure that more people are able to afford the necessary screening.
Ninety percent of people live 5 or more years when colon cancer is found early.If securing a life insurance policy, good health will improve premium rates. Never forget that early approval without health issues will offer the best options. Early detection of health obstacles can obtain the same results.
