March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Currently, Blacks have the highest rate of colorectal cancer in the United States. Additionally, the onset of colon cancer will often times occur at a younger age in Blacks in comparison to the rest of the population. Even worse, Blacks are more likely to die from colon cancer. There are different ways that a person can decrease his or her risk of colon cancer. Today, I am going to highlight 3 ways to reduce your chance of being diagnosed with colon cancer.
1. Stay active and exercise to maintain an appropriate weight. The “right weight” can vary from person to person depending on height, medical conditions, and other health factors. Talk to your doctor about what that looks like for you.
2. Quit smoking cigarettes. If you don’t smoke, don’t start! Smoking introduces all types of toxins into your body that can damage cells and make it more likely that you can get precancerous cells and possibly later develop colon cancer. There are many options available to help you become a “former smoker”. Talk to your doctor about different support groups, strategies, and/or medications that can help you quit smoking.
3. Get colon cancer screenings. Please talk to your doctor about a colon cancer screening schedule that is right for you based on your age, family history, change in bowel habits, etc. Different types of screenings include a colonoscopy, imaging, and stool studies. If cost is a concern, ask about available programs that can provide financial assistance to qualifying applicants. There may be assistance available for those who are uninsured as well as those who are insured but still have to pay out of pocket expenses for colon cancer screenings.
There are guidelines to help determine when you should start getting screened for colon cancer. These guidelines also aid in determining if you should get screened earlier than what is recommended for the general population due to your family history, symptoms, certain health conditions, etc. Remember, in the early stages, colon cancer may not necessarily present with symptoms or make you feel abnormal. Therefore, it is extremely important to talk to your doctor about when you should get screened for colon cancer. Don’t forget to mention any family history of colon cancer, changes in your stool size, blood in your stool, black stools, unexplained weight loss, and anything else that seems abnormal for you.
Disclaimer
While the blog will cover a wide range of healthcare related material, it is not intended to replace the advice and medical care of your medical provider. The content discussed/included in this blog is for informational purposes only. It is not to be taken as medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, etc. for your healthcare needs. There is no doctor-patient relationship formed or implied by reading this blog. For any health-related concerns, questions, diagnosis, treatment, etc., please consult a medical/healthcare professional.
