Tomorrow Can’t Wait
by Ngozi Osuagwu, MD | March 6th, 2022
March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Did you know…
- In 2022, an estimated 151,030 people will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer.
- Colorectal cancer rates are increasing in younger people.
- One in 24 people will develop colon or rectal cancer in their lifetime. Both cancers are highly treatable if caught early.
- In the U.S., Black people are about 20% more likely to be diagnosed with colorectal cancer and 35% more likely to die.
- Screening for colon cancer now starts at age 45. Insurance companies are required to cover screening for colon cancer at age 45.
Tomorrow can’t wait – we need to be proactive. Colorectal cancer is highly preventable. When found early, it is treatable. We can PREVENT colorectal cancer by getting screened. Tomorrow can’t wait.
There are screening tests available. Doing something is better than doing nothing. If you are afraid of getting a colonoscopy, you can get the stool DNA test if you are at average risk. The only stool DNA test I know about goes by the trade name Cologuard®. To understand the best screening test to get based on your risk factors, please take this quiz. I took the quiz, and it took less than 5 minutes. Tomorrow can’t wait.
If you are younger than 45 years old, you probably do not think you need to do anything. I would still take the quiz because, depending on your personal or family history, you might need to be screened earlier than age 45.
What can we all do to decrease our risk of getting colorectal cancer?
- Eat well – You want your diet to be high in vegetables and fruits. Avoid processed meats like hot dogs, ham, bacon, and sausages. Try to reduce the amount of red meat you eat. Try to keep red meat intake to 18 ounces (cooked) per week or less.
- Get your exercise – Research consistently shows that adults who increase their physical activity, either in intensity, duration, or frequency, can reduce their risk of developing colorectal cancer by 30 – 40 percent.
- Avoid alcohol and cigarettes – People who regularly drink 3.5 drinks per day have a 1.5 times the risk for developing colorectal cancer as nondrinkers or occasional drinkers. If you choose to drink, try to limit your consumption. Long-term cigarette smoking is associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer.
Colorectal cancer is preventable. When found early, it is treatable. If you need to be screened, call your doctor today to get your screening test – Tomorrow can’t wait.
Information for this blog came from the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, whose primary mission is to end colorectal cancer.
