March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month
By: Jose G. Landa, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2016
The American Cancer Society announced that March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month in the United States. According to the American Cancer Society, Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. Eagle Pass and Maverick County, Texas are no exception. Hundreds of Maverick Countians are diagnosed each year with colon cancer. The best prevention against colon cancer is early detection.
During National Colon Cancer Awareness Month, the American Cancer Society and many other organizations highlight the need to do more to save lives from the nation’s second leading cause of cancer death in both men and women by urging patients and their doctors to talk about the importance of colorectal cancer screening, which is recommended for people at average risk beginning at age 50.
Colorectal cancer screening saves lives. If you’re 50 years old or older, talk to your doctor about getting screened.
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. But this disease is highly preventable by getting screened beginning at age 50.
If you’re between the ages of 50 to 75, get screened for colorectal cancer regularly. Screening tests help prevent colorectal cancer by finding precancerous polyps (abnormal growths) so they can be removed. Screening also finds this cancer early when treatment can be most effective.. People are recommended to be physically active., exercise, and maintain a healthy weight., Don’t drink too much alcohol. and don’t smoke are also recommended for people between 50 and older.
Risk increases with age. More than 90% of colorectal cancers occur in people aged 50 and older. Precancerous polyps and colorectal cancer don’t always cause symptoms, especially at first. You could have polyps or colorectal cancer and not know it. That is why having a screening test is so important. If you have symptoms, they may include— Blood in or on the stool (bowel movement), Stomach pain, aches, or cramps that do not go away, and loss of weight and you don’t know why.
These symptoms may be caused by something other than cancer. If you have any of them, see your doctor. Some people are at a higher risk than others for developing colorectal cancer. If you think you may be at high risk, talk to your doctor about when and how often to get tested. There are several screening test options. Talk with your doctor about which is right for you. Colonoscopy (every 10 years). High-sensitivity fecal occult blood test (FOBT), stool test, or fecal immunochemical test (FIT) (every year). Sigmoidoscopy (every 5 years, with FOBT every three years).
Colon cancer can affect anyone one, such as many residents in our community including Maria Euresti who is currently under-going chemotherapy and radiation treatment for colorectal cancer.
Recently, Mrs. Euresti’s diagnosis was changed to stage 4 cancer and her family and loved ones are doing everything possible to assist her with the heavy burden of medical bills that have come from battling the dreaded disease.
Family and friends of Mrs. Maria Euresti respectfully ask for any help to continue assisting her with medical treatments needed in fighting the disease.
If you would like to donate to Mrs. Maria Euresti medical bills, you can go to https://www.gofundme.com/qdteqfvw or call 830-352-2576 for more information on Mrs. Maria Euresti’s situation.
The Maverick County Hospital District’s Physician Specialists Clinic, located at 3406 Bob Rogers Drive (behind Fort Duncan Regional Medical Center), has several physicians available to see patients concerning their needs for colorectal cancer screenings. For more information, please call (830) 757-4900 to schedule a medical appointment.
Do not delay nor procrastinate scheduling an appointment with your physician to get a colorectal screening. Your life depends on you getting screened. If colon cancer goes undetected, it goes very fast and easily spreads to the rest of your body. Please, take time and go get screened.
