Early Detection of Colon Cancer

Turning 50 is a huge milestone! These days turning 50 has less of a stigma about being old and is more exciting…a new decade with new possibilities. You are sure of yourself, know where you are going in life, and you’re not as worried about what people think. As we age lots of things change and how we think about healthcare and preventive care should be added to the list.

The average adult should begin colon cancer screenings at the age of 50. While colonoscopies  are not at the top of the list of new and exciting things to do in a new decade, a new study shows how important it is to not delay screenings. Colon cancer, when found in early stages, can be cured in about 90% of patients when proper screening is done and treatment is completed quickly. Early stage colon cancers are generally treated with removal of the tumor, but more advanced stages will also require chemotherapy and radiation therapy.

Colon cancer is the second most diagnosed cancer in men and women and the third leading cause of cancer related deaths in the United States. Colon cancer is also one of the only cancers with a reliable screening tool, but advanced diagnosis are still so prevalent as people avoid screenings due to fear or embarrassment. Early detection means a less complicated treatment or surgery, faster healing times and a longer life cancer free.

If you are approaching 50 or are over 50 and have avoided the topic, talk to your doctor about colon health screenings and what is right for you. The physicians at TDDC are specially trained in early detection and removal of precancerous polyps. Don’t delay…find a location  near you today!