Health & Wellness by Ryan Baker, MD
As COVID-19 has gripped the country, colorectal cancer screenings have dropped dramatically. This is a dangerous trend. March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and prevention is the key to treating and beating colon cancer.
Overall, the most effective way to reduce your risk of colorectal cancer is to get screened regularly, beginning at age 50. More than 90% of colorectal cancers occur in people 50 years old or older. If you’re younger than 50 but have an increased risk such as a family member who had colorectal cancer, we’ll start screenings even earlier. We could start as early as 10 years earlier than your most recent relative’s diagnosis.
Now let’s talk about that dreaded C-word – colonoscopy. Bottom line, no one likes the idea of getting a colonoscopy. If you’ve had one in the past, I can tell you that the preparation has gotten better. It’s not fun, but it’s definitely better than it used to be.
While colonoscopy remains the gold standard for screening for colon cancers, there are other less-invasive options out there. There are roughly a dozen options for colorectal cancer screening, including at-home test kits or exams that can be done in your doctor’s office, and they all discover cancer equally well. Your family physician should discuss all of the options with you. Remember, the best screening is the one that you actually do.
Prevention is such a valuable tool when it comes to cancer. For years women have been comfortable talking about mammograms and discussing a colonoscopy shouldn’t be any different. Any good family doctor is going to have that conversation with you. Colorectal cancer screening should be discussed every year in your Annual Wellness Visit, along with all the other preventive screening measures you and your doctor lay out for you.
As far as lifestyle approaches to decrease your risk for colorectal cancer, just having a good, clean, healthy diet goes a long way. High red meat consumption has been associated with colon cancers, while a diet high in fiber and leafy greens can be protective.
With any disease or illness, the best approach is always prevention, and the first step to a solid prevention plan is having good communication with your family physician.
About Millennium Physician Group:
Millennium Physician Group is the largest comprehensive, independent physician group in Florida with more than 500 healthcare providers at 130 locations in 17 Florida counties serving 450,000 patients. Learn more at www.MillenniumPhysician.com.
CONTACT:
Dr. Ryan Baker/Millennium Physician Group
2299 9th Ave N, Suite 1A, St. Petersburg, FL 33713
727-655-9854