MARCH IS COLON CANCER AWARENESS MONTH – LEARN MORE

[N'Zinga Shani]

MARCH IS COLON CANCER AWARENESS MONTH – OneWorld Progressive Institute provides information  and invites you to read this blog and watch the videos linked below to learn more.  Be good to yourself; you are irreplaceable.

As we age one of the areas of our bodies we need to pay close attention to is the Gastrointestinal (GI) Tract.  It starts at the mouth and ends at the anus. The medical profession strongly recommends that we get a colonoscopy and an endoscopy by the age of 55; some doctors says – depending on your family medical history (if your parents had GI tract cancer by age 55), you should get a screening test by the age of 50.  OneWorld has produced informative community education programs on this topic.  The links below will take you to two clips of our programs; in 10 -11 mins doctors from Yale provide important educational information about the GI exam and diagnostic process.  AC Gastroenterology provides a dynamic tour of a cancerous colon, and a crisp video.

Colorectal cancer screening tests (this information is from the American Cancer Society)

Screening is the process of looking for cancer in people who have no symptoms of the disease. Several different tests can be used to screen for colorectal cancers. These tests can be divided into 2 broad groups:

• Tests that can find both colorectal polyps and cancer: These tests look at the structure of the colon itself to find any abnormal areas. This is done either with a scope inserted into the rectum or with special imaging (x-ray) tests. Polyps found before they become cancerous can be removed, so these tests may prevent colorectal cancer. Because of this, these tests are preferred if they are available and you are willing to have them.
• Tests that mainly find cancer: These involve testing the stool (feces) for signs that cancer may be present. These tests are less invasive and easier to have done, but they are less likely to detect polyps.  Visit the ACS web site linked below to get more details about screening and testing. In the first video linked below Dr. Brand demonstrates how scopes are used to look into the stomach and the colon.  In 11 mins you can learn a great deal.  We hope you will explore and share this information with others.  Knowledge – when applied – conveys POWER.  

http://youtu.be/6TEFhCnDzjQ - Dr Brand Explains Colonoscopy and Endoscopy= 11:00 Mins

http://youtu.be/Y89peX_pyLM - Dr. LaSala explains the stages of GI cancers & treatment

http://youtu.be/rl4s1D4MGH8 -  A Cancerous Polyp is Discovered. This is Colon Cancer = 2:14

http://youtu.be/ewCIqAAJGPg - Dr. Pochapin (ACG) removes a large polyp from the colon – 2:45

American Cancer Society® - cancer.org

www.cancer.org/coloncancer