Colon Cancer is Preventable with Screening Colonoscopy

By: Dr. Steve Ellison, Medical Director Clearview Endoscopy Center in Loganville.

Most people know someone who is suffering from colon cancer or has had it in the past.  This should not be a surprise since 1 out of 18 people will be diagnosed with the disease sometime during their life.  The American Cancer Society estimates that about 141,210 people will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer yearly and about 50,000 people will die of the disease in the U.S. each year.  The good news is colorectal cancer is preventable with screening. 

Risk factors for colorectal cancer can be divided into those that can be modified and those that are not modifiable.  The non modifiable risk factors include personal history of colon cancer, polyps, a history of inflammatory bowel disease or a family history of colon cancer or polyps.  Modifiable risk factors have been identified in epidemiologic studies and include increasing physical activity, losing weight if you are obese, reduce the consumption of red or processed meats, quit smoking and avoid excessive alcohol consumption.  The current American Cancer Society recommendations for the prevention of colorectal cancer are:

1.     Get screened regularly

2.     Maintain a health weight throughout life

3.     Adopt a physically active lifestyle

4.     Consume a healthy diet:

• Choose foods and beverages in amounts that help achieve and maintain a healthy weight
• Eat 5 or more servings of a variety of vegetables and fruit each day
• Chose whole grains in preference to processed (refined) grains
• Limit your consumption of processed and red meats

5.     If you drink alcoholic beverages limit your consumption

Through regular screenings the number of colon cancer deaths can be reduced dramatically.  Cancer can be prevented by detecting precancerous growths called polyps and removing them or detecting cancers at an early stage and having them removed surgically.

A screening colonoscopy can reduce ones risk of dying from colon cancer as much as 90%, making colon cancer one of the most preventable types of cancer.  Unfortunately, not everyone is willing to undergo a screening test for early detection and prevention of colon cancer.  There are several barriers to screening.  The most commonly cited is cost and lack of insurance coverage.  The insurance issue has been addressed by both the State and Federal Government and most insurance companies, including Medicare, cover screening colonoscopy with no cost to the patient.

Screening for average risk individuals should begin at age 50 and earlier if there is a family history of colon cancer.  Because African Americans are at risk of developing colon cancer at an earlier age and have a decreased survival rate, it is recommended that African Americans begin screening at age 45.

As with any health issue, it is best to discuss colon screening with your primary care physician.

There will be an open house and tour at Clearview Endoscopy Center in Loganville from 12 to 1 p.m. on March 12. Dr. Ellison will be on hand to answer questions.

Bio

Steven B. Ellison, M.D., FACP, FACG, FASGE, is a fellow of the American College of Physicians, American College of Gastroenterology, and American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.  He is the founder of Alcovy Gastroenterology Associates and the Medical Director of Clearview Endoscopy Center and can be contacted at (678) 635-8650 or www.alcovygastro.com