Healthy Living Newsletter
February 2006 Senior Link
Colorectal Screening - Don’t Say “No”
|
| Ted Wildermuth of Marysville, is
a four-year colorectal cancer survivor, who often recommends
to friends to get regular colorectal cancer screenings
for early diagnosis to increase their chance of cancer
survival. |
As a colorectal cancer survivor, Ted Wildermuth of Marysville,
tells nearly everyone he knows about the importance of cancer
screenings. He feels it’s important to offer support
to others in the fight against cancer.
Colorectal cancer can be deadly; it kills more Americans
than any other cancer except lung cancer, but when detected
early, as in Ted’s case, 90 percent of patients survive.
To allow for early detection, in persons at high risk and
those at average risk, several effective methods are available.
Yet studies show that only about 45 percent of Americans
follow screening guidelines.
Colorectal cancer nearly always begins with the growth
of polyps in the lining of the colon or rectum. Not all
of these polyps are malignant, and those that are may take
many years to become cancerous. Effective screening involves
detecting premalignant polyps and removing them. There are
several methods for doing this.
For those over age 50, the American Cancer Society recommends
the following screenings:
- fecal occult blood test (FOBT) or fecal immunochemical
test (FIT) every year
- flexible sigmoidoscopy (FSIG) every five years
- annual FOBT or FIT, and FSIG every five years (combined
testing is preferred)
- colonoscopy every 10 years
The Mercy Regional Cancer Center, which was recently named
best in cancer care through its recertification by the Commission
on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons, offers access
to the latest cancer screening guidelines as well as its
latest five-year cancer survival statistics which surpass
national rates for colon, breast, prostate and lung cancers
as reported by the National Cancer Data Base.
For nearly a quarter century Mercy has been providing,
complex, high-quality and compassionate cancer care close
to home.
To learn more, call (810) 985-1603 to receive your free
Mercy Regional Cancer Center Annual Report, and the latest
cancer screening guidelines. |
