Daniel Prince
Colon cancer was the 2nd-leading cause of cancer deaths in Union County from 2014-2018
Calling attention to colorectal cancer, Union Medical Center will have an inflatable colon set up on Tuesday, March 22, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. outside the hospital. The American Cancer Society recommends that you get your first colonoscopy at age 45, and for those who are deemed at low risk, repeat the procedure every 5-10 years until age 75.
At the recent Union County Data Walk, information was given from the SC Central Cancer Registry that from 2014-2018, colorectal cancer was 4th in the leading number of new cases of cancer with 93 cases, behind lung cancer, breast cancer, and prostate cancer. It was the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in the county in that span, with 48, behind lung cancer. The death rate from colorectal cancer in the county was third, behind lung and prostate cancers. The five-year rate of new colorectal cancer cases in the county declined slightly from 2007 to 2016, from an age-adjusted rate per 100,000 population of 48.7 to 43.6. The decline of new cases in men was more significant, from 82.8 to 50.3.
Signs and symptoms of colon cancer include:
A change in your bowel habits, including diarrhea or constipation or a change in the consistency of your stool; rectal bleeding or blood in your stool; persistent abdominal discomfort, such as cramps, gas or pain; a feeling that your bowel doesn’t empty completely; weakness or fatigue; and unexplained weight loss.
If you notice any symptoms of colon cancer, make an appointment with your primary care physician.
Factors that can put you at risk for colorectal cancer include:
Inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis; a personal or family history of colorectal cancer or colorectal polyps; a genetic syndrome such as familial adenomatous polyposis; (FAP) or hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer; lack of regular physical activity; low fruit and vegetable intake; a low-fiber and high-fat diet; obesity; alcohol consumption; and tobacco use.
For screening information, call 1-855-DNA-GIBBS or talk to your doctor about the right time to schedule your colonoscopy.