March is Colon Cancer Awareness month. Colon Cancer prevention is a subject that the members of Gastroenterology Associates are passionate about.

Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in both the United States and Utah. Colon cancer affects men and women almost equally. One in seventeen men and one in eighteen women will be struck with colon cancer. 80% of people who develop colon cancer have no family history of colon cancer. Everyone age 50 and older is at risk for colon cancer and should undergo some form of screening. People with a family history of polyps or colon cancer may need to undergo colon cancer screening earlier than age 50 and this should be discussed with your physician.

Colon cancer usually begins as a colon polyp (an abnormal tissue growth in the colon). Polyps cause no symptoms. Approximately 40% of people over the age of 50 have colon polyps. The removal of polyps is painless and can be accomplished at the time of colon cancer screening.
Early colon cancer also has no symptoms. By undergoing colon cancer screening colon cancer can be detected early, while it is in the curable stages.

Our group recommends colonoscopy for colon cancer screening. Colonoscopy is usually painless and is performed with the use of short acting sedation. It allows examination of the entire colon (the large intestine) and removal of colon polyps at the time of the procedure. In comparison, flexible sidgmoidoscopy examines only one third of the colon. The most difficult part of colonoscopy is the oral preparation. The colon needs to be cleaned out to allow adequate visualization of the lining of the colon. There are several prep choices and this can be discussed at the time your colonoscopy is scheduled.
If you are 50 or older or have a family history of colon cancer you should discuss colon cancer screening with your primary care physician or call our office for more information.

For more detailed information on colon cancer, <click here>.