Colorectal Cancer check up

Colon cancer is a leading form of cancer & it is one of the most preventable and curable forms of cancer.  More than 90% of patients can be cured if detected early enough by colonoscopy.

The following symptoms/signs may signal the presence of colon cancer. 

• Rectal bleeding/pain
• Change in the bowel habits
• Incomplete evacuation of stool
• Abdominal pain/Bloating
• Anemia
• Feeling of tiredness and lethargy

If you are already at risk for colon cancer, you should not wait for any symptoms to appear to undergo colonoscopy.

 ARE YOU AT RISK?

• Are you 45 years or over?
• Do you have a family history of colon cancer or polyps?
• Do you have colitis or Crohn’s disease?
• Do you have a history of colon polyps or cancer?
• Do you have a history of prostate, breast, uterus, ovarian or cervical cancer?
• Do you smoke or drink excess alcohol/
• Are you an African-American or Hispanic?

If you say yes to any ONE of the above questions, you may consider yourself at risk for colon cancer & consult your physician for colonoscopy.

Colonoscopy remains the gold standard for early detection of colon cancer & polyps and it is the only test that allows the Gastroenterologist to directly visualize the colon, obtain biopsies and remove polyps at the same time.

 There may NOT be any symptoms at all during the early stages of colon cancer.  Some may experience rectal bleeding, change in bowel habits, weight loss, stomach pain or anemia.   Colon cancer can be prevented by removing the pre-cancerous polyps by colonoscopy. Colon cancer cure rate can be high as 90%, if detected early.

• Colonoscopy is recommended for men and women starting at the age of 45. If there is a family history of colon cancer, this test should be performed earlier. Please make an appoimtment  with your Gastroenterologist .

If you won’t have a colonoscopy for yourself, do it for the ones who love you & depend on you!

Author

Indran B. Indrakrishnan MD Indran B. Indrakrishnan, MD, is a nationally recognized gastroenterologist at Gwinnett Digestive Clinic, PC, in Lawrenceville, Georgia. His passion for Colon cancer awareness earned him unanimous support in a Georgia Senate resolution for his exemplary service to the community, including increasing the public awareness of colorectal cancer screenings. Dr. Indrakrishnan has performed thousands of colonoscopies and endoscopies in his effort to help patients improve their gastrointestinal health. He is an adjunct Professor of Medicine at Emory School of Medicine , Atlanta , Georgia .