Beverly Hills Colon Cancer Screening - Gastroenterology Institute of Southern California

A simple procedure that can save your life!

Colorectal cancer -- cancer of the colon (the large bowel or large intestine) and/or rectum -- is the second-most deadly of all cancers, killing more people each year in the US than either breast or prostate cancer.  This year, more than 150,000 new cases of colorectal cancer will be diagnosed, and more than 60,000 Americans will die from it.  We do not know the true cause of colon cancer but genetics, diet, smoking and obesity increase one's risk.  But even without these risk factors, you have a 1 in 17 chance of developing this disease during your lifetime. Yet, colorectal cancer is among the most preventable and curable of all cancers... if it is found and treated in its early stages.

Colorectal cancer may begin as non-cancerous polyps, which are grape-like growths on the lining of the colon and rectum. For reasons that are not fully understood, these polyps may become cancerous.  Even as the second leading cause of cancer in the United States for men and women combined, colorectal cancer is one of the most curable cancers, when detected at an early stage.

Colorectal Cancer Facts

• Colorectal cancer is highly preventable, treatable, and often curable.
  
  
• According to the National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance, nearly 150,000 Americans are diagnosed with colorectal cancer annually and an estimated 60,000 die, most of them unnecessarily.
  
  
• Even as the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States for men and women combined, colorectal cancer is one of the most preventable cancers, as well as one of the most curable cancers, when detected at an early stage.
  
  
• Over 15,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with colorectal cancer each year under the recommended screening age of 50.
  
  
• A low-fat diet high in vegetables and fruits and regular exercise can help reduce your risk of colorectal cancer.
  
  
• Regular screening tests may detect pre-cancerous polyps. Removal of these may prevent cancer from developing.
  
  
• Screening tests can help detect colorectal cancer in its earliest, most curable stages.
  
  
• When detected and treated early, the five-year survival rate is over 90%.
  
  
• Beginning at age 50, men and women should be screened regularly for colorectal cancer - screening tests are not painful, and are often covered by Medicare and many health insurers.
  
  
• It is important to get acolonoscopy if you have symptoms at any age.
  
  
• A colonoscopy is the best way to find and remove colon polyps, preventing colorectal cancer before it starts.
  
  
• Colorectal cancer is preventable and easier to treat when detected early. Talk with your healthcare provider about what kind of screening test is right for you.

Warning signs to watch for:

Although polyps and the early stages of colorectal cancer usually present no symptoms, there are warning signs to watch for. The key to surviving this disease is early detection, and this means finding it before there are symptoms. Here are the warning signs that may indicate the presence of colorectal cancer:

• Unexplained change in bowel habits (either diarrhea or constipation) 
  
  
• Blood in the stool (bright red, black or very dark)
  
  
• Narrowed stools (about the thickness of a pencil)
  
  
• Bloating, fullness or abdominal cramps
  
  
• A feeling that the bowel does not empty completely
  
  
• Frequent gas pains
  
  
• Weight loss without dieting
  
  
• Continuing fatigue
  
  
• Unexplained anemia 

These symptoms may be caused by other benign diseases such as hemorrhoids, inflammation in the colon or irritable bowel syndrome. If you experience any of these symptoms for more than a few days, talk with a gastrointestinal specialist about them.

Your risk for colorectal cancer:

Your chance of developing colorectal cancer increases with your age. Certain people are at higher than average risk of developing colon cancer and should pay particular attention to these symptoms. A family history of colorectal cancer, multiple family members with certain other cancers (uterus, bladder, stomach, etc.) or a history of inflammatory bowel disease are examples of risk factors for developing colon cancer.  Men and women are affected by cancer of the colon or rectum about equally, and research shows there is a correlation between colorectal cancer and breast cancer. Most importantly, risk exists, and it’s essential that you are screened regularly if you are over 50, or over 40 if you have a family history of colorectal cancer.  For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call (310) 271-1122.

What else can you do to lower your risk of colon cancer?

• Ask relatives about your family’s cancer history.
  
  
• Exercise at least 30 minutes on most days.
  
  
• Eat five or more servings of vegetables and fruit daily.
  
  
• Avoid tobacco, and drink alcohol in moderation.
  
  
• Stay at your ideal weight.
  
  
• For more information on colorectal cancer prevention please click here