(The following news release was provided verbatim by Jefferson Health)
Because it develops slowly, colorectal cancer can often be prevented or successfully treated when detected early. Polyps are a precursor of disease and often take years to develop into cancerous lesions — sometimes as long as 10 years. But that shouldn’t deter anyone with a family history, who is experiencing symptoms at any age or who is 45 (or older) from getting a colonoscopy.
David Kastenberg, MD, chief of the Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, notes that the procedure effectively stops disease before it starts.
“Early polyps can take several forms — flat, depressed or a grapelike cluster,” Kastenberg said. “All are typically visible on a colonoscopy and are removed right then and there, with no pain or discomfort to the patient.”
In fact, the worst part of the test is the preparation, and even that process has evolved and become much more tolerable.
“You’ll need to take laxatives and eat a special diet leading up to the procedure, with clear liquids the day before,” Kastenberg said, “but it’s a small price to pay to potentially prevent a cancer diagnosis later on down the road.”
Here are three lifestyle habits that can help reduce your risk of colorectal cancer:
Talk with your doctor if you have persistent abdominal pain, weight loss, blood in your stool or a change in bowel habits (constipation or diarrhea). It doesn’t always mean cancer, but it’s important to get evaluated.
