With Colon Cancer Awareness Month now underway in March, this is a good opportunity to educate the public – especially younger generations – about the need for colorectal screening and prevention.
Sen. Joe Griffo.
Colorectal cancer is one the most common cancers in New York State and is the second leading cause of deaths among all people according to the New York State Department of Health. It does not discriminate and can affect people from all races and ethnic backgrounds.
Each year, almost 4,600 men and over 4,200 women are diagnosed with colorectal cancer and almost 1,400 men and over 1,300 women in New York die from this disease, the health department indicates.
Current guidelines recommend that people aged 45 or older get screened for colorectal cancer. There are several different tests that screen for colorectal cancer, including stool-based tests that can be done from the comfort of your home.
With regular testing (also called screening), colorectal cancer can be stopped before it starts or found early when it is easier to treat.
Everyone should talk to their health care provider about their risk for colorectal cancer and at what age to begin regular testing.
Some colorectal cancers can be prevented by removing polyps, according to the department. Polyps are noncancerous growths of tissue that can become cancer if they are not removed. In addition, colorectal cancers are more treatable when found early, before the cancer spreads to other parts of the body.
The health department recommends that, if you are age 45 or older, you should get screened for colorectal cancer. Regular testing increases the chance of stopping colon cancer before it starts or finding it early when treatment may be most effective. Adults younger than age 45 should talk to their health care provider about their risk for colorectal cancer and when to start screening.
If you or someone in your family has had colorectal cancer or certain other conditions, you may need to start testing at an earlier age compared to other adults without such risk factors. Talk to your health care provider about when you should start getting tested.
Other ways to reduce your risk, according to the health department, include:
Be aware of your family history and discuss any concerns with your health care provider.
Exercise regularly.
Choose a healthy diet to achieve and maintain a healthy weight. Eat more vegetables, fruits and whole grains and eat less red and processed (e.g., bacon, sausage, luncheon meat, hot dogs) meats. These actions may reduce the risk of developing many types of cancer as well as other diseases.
Do not smoke. If you currently smoke, quit. Avoid exposure to second hand smoke. For more information on quitting smoking, visit the NYS Smoker’s Quitline at www.nysmokefree.com or call 1-866-NY-QUITS.
Limit alcohol use.
Free screenings are offered to eligible uninsured men and women through the State Department of Health Cancer Services Program, and you can find more information about those locations by calling 1-866-442-2262.
A rising number of New Yorkers are being screened for colorectal cancer, but we can do better. And with such cases emerging more in younger generations, we must do better. If you are at risk, get screened.
