Wausau, Wisconsin (WSAW) – Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer for women and men here in Wisconsin.
Colorectal cancer often develops without any symptoms, which is why awareness and early detection are essential. Some people believe that projections can be frightening, but doctors say they shouldn’t be. Here are some different screening options, two options are an adjustment or cologuard test. These comfortable home tests are good for conscience but are poor to find polyps and cannot remove them. The best known and most effective way is a colonoscopy, it is a slightly less comfortable procedure which allows doctors to examine the colon and to remove any cancer growth.
“It has been shown that if we remove someone’s polyps, we reduce their risk of colon cancer by 90%. So, not only is colonoscopy a good screening tool, but it is also a useful treatment tool for reducing the risk of someone’s cancer, “said Dr. Heather Osterbrink, general surgeon, Aspirus Health.
She says that the procedure lasts from 20 minutes to about an hour, most people are awake in less than an hour and ready to go home the same day.
You can also make lifestyle changes before making the disease also help reduce the risk of colon cancer. One way consists by increasing our fiber intake, they say at least 10 to 15 grams per day. Eating a balanced diet can also help, like eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein, among others. Watch out for transformed meats, red meats and sugary drinks. Smoking is also a major risk factor in colon cancer. Here are some symptoms of colon cancer you can search.
“Many colon cancers are asymptomatic, even if they are quite advanced, but changes in intestinal habits, bleeding with stools and weight loss can be signs of colon cancer,” Osterbrink said.
The age of screening for colon starts at 45, unless you have family history or conditions such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis; If you have these conditions, you may need to be detected earlier.
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