Screenings can prevent colorectal cancer

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and if you're aged 50 or older, regular screenings may help save your life. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says among cancers that affect both men and women, colorectal cancer (cancer of the colon or rectum) is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Every year, about 140,000 Americans are diagnosed with colorectal cancer, and more than 50,000 people die from it.

The CDC recommends the following:

n If you're aged 50 to 75, get screened for colorectal cancer regularly. If you're between 76 and 85, ask your doctor if you should be screened. Screen earlier if you're considered at higher risk.

n Be physically active;

n Maintain a healthy weight;

n Don't drink too much alcohol;

n Don't smoke.

There are several screening options. Talk with your doctor about which is right for you.

n Colonoscopy (every 10 years);

n High-sensitivity guaiac fecal occult blood test (FOBT) or fecal immunochemical test (FIT) (every year);

n Sigmoidoscopy (every 10 years, with FOBT or FIT every three years);

n Sigmoidoscopy alone (every five years);

n Stool DNA test (FIT-DNA) every one or three years;

n CT colonography (or virtual colonoscopy) every five years.

This disease is highly preventable and screening finds it early when treatment can be most effective.

For more information, go to www.cdc.gov.

Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Healthy Habits 2017 is a partnership among Cabell Huntington Hospital, Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine and St. Mary's Medical Center. We are a community working together to improve our health. Our goal is a simple one: to inform and encourage area residents on ways to improve health. Join our conversation and "like" us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/healthyhabitshuntington/.