Colon cancer - you can prevent it. |
Colon Cancer is America's #2 cancer killer,
claiming the lives of 55,000 persons each year, according
to the American Cancer Society.
The good news is - you can prevent it. |  |
- Screening for colon cancer can prevent cancer by
removing pre-cancerous growths (polyps).
- Early detection diagnoses cancers before they have a
chance to spread.
- Up to 80 percent of cancer deaths can be prevented by
timely removal of pre-cancerous polyps. Polyps are
growths within the colon that occur fairly commonly as
people grow older.
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| Who should be screened? |
| All persons 50 years of age and older, and
younger patients who have a family history of colorectal
cancer, should receive regular checkups for the disease. |
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| What is a Colonoscopy? |
A colonoscopy is an examination of your large
bowel (colon). Sedation is administered through a vein
prior to the procedure in order to help the patient feel
relaxed and sleepy. A colonoscopy is performed with a
slender flexible tube (colonoscope) which is inserted
into the rectum while you are on your left side. The
scope is gradually advanced through the entire colon,
thoroughly examining the inside lining.
If necessary, pieces of tissue may be taken for biopsies
or a polyp may be removed if found during the procedure.
Although the majority of polyps are benign (non-cancerous)
, a small percentage may contain an area of cancer in
them or may develop into cancer over time. Removal of
colon polyps, therefore, is an important means of
prevention and cure for colon cancer. |
A Colon Cancer screening can save your life.
For more information about a screening colonoscopy or to
schedule an appointment, call the Good Shepherd Ambulatory
Surgical Center at (903) 315-5333. |
