Most people don’t like to talk about colon cancer but the reality is we need to talk about it because colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. This does not have to be the case, though. More than half of all colon cancers could be prevented with routine screening and a healthy lifestyle. Many of the behaviors that reduce the risk of colon cancer also lower the risk of other chronic diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and other cancers.
In the state of Missouri, death rates from colon cancer are higher than in the United States. In St. Louis City and St. Louis County, we see that men are more likely than women to die from colon cancer. And, more African American men and women die from the disease than whites.
Getting regular screening tests is the single best way to lower your risk of colon cancer.
One of the most important things you can do to decrease your risk for colon cancer is to start getting colon screening tests once you turn 50. If you have a family history of colon cancer, or you are otherwise at high risk, you may need to get screened earlier than age 50.
Screening tests can prevent colon cancer by finding polyps and then removing them. Polyps are small, non-cancerous tumors in the colon or rectum, which sometimes turn into cancer. There is good news. If they do turn into colon cancer, when the cancer is found early and treated before it has had a chance to spread, colon cancer is survivable. Ninety percent of people diagnosed early, in the most treatable stages survive, compared to the less than 10 percent of people who are diagnosed with advanced colon cancer.
How often you should get tested for colon cancer depends on the test you have. There are a number of recommended screening tests for colon cancer. Talk to a doctor about which one is right for you. How often you should get screened depends on which test you have as well as other factors your doctor will discuss with you.
If you or someone you know would like more information on screening for colon cancer, here are some resources in the community that can help:
• Missouri Screen for Life – If you would like to get screened, but don’t have insurance or a way to cover the costs, call St. Louis ConnectCare to find out if you qualify for free screening – 314-879-6392.
• Henry R. Willis, Sr. Colon Cancer Foundation – To find screening locations and other events, call 1-866-616-0991.
• Colon Cancer Alliance – www.ccalliance.org
• American Cancer Society – www.cancer.org or call 1-800-ACS-2345
• National Cancer Institute – www.cancer.gov
• Center for Disease Control and Prevention – www.cdc.gov
• Your Disease Risk -www.yourdiseaserisk.org
Now that you have the facts, join with your friends, family and community to spread the word about colon cancer in St. Louis and Missouri. Remember, March is Colon Cancer Awareness month. Visit the Colon Cancer Alliance website at www.ccallinace.org to learn more and participate in upcoming events such as the Undy 5000 Run March 28th inside Forest Park.
Steps to improve your overall health and reduce your risk for colon cancer
• Be physically active for at least 30 minutes a day.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Take a daily multivitamin with folate.
• Get enough calcium every day, either from foods like milk, yogurt or cheese, or from vitamin supplements.
• Eat a variety of vegetables including leafy green vegetables such as broccoli and spinach. Aim for at least 3 servings a day.
• Limit how much alcohol you drink.
• Eat no more than 2 servings of red meat per week, which includes beef, pork, lamb or veal.
Quit smoking or never start.