Screenings over squeamishness Early diagnosis vital in fight against colorectal cancer

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and doctors are reminding people about the power of prevention.
Dr. Brent Angott, with The Washington Healthcare System, encourages patients to get regular screenings once they turn 50 in order to protect against colorectal cancer. People with other risk factors, such as a family history of colorectal cancer, should also get routine screenings.
Colorectal cancer (the combined name for colon and rectal cancers) is the third most common cancer diagnosed in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society, and causes about 51,000 deaths in the U.S. each year.
Symptoms can include rectal bleeding, weight loss, prolonged constipation, diarrhea and anemia.
Early diagnosis is important, but there’s the squeamishness factor that can keep patients from going to the doctor.
“I think ever since Katie Couric had her colonoscopy on TV, the general public is a lot more accepting to the procedure,” said Angott, “Surprisingly, the number one reason I hear (that people don’t get colonoscopies) is they do not like or cannot tolerate the prep. I find I have little problem with this because the prep I use is tasteless and half of the volume of the standard prep. The battle is won if you take away the surprise or the unknown.”
Early diagnosis has actually decreased the number of colorectal cancer deaths in the United States over the years, as polyps are being found by screening and removed before they can develop into cancer.
According to the National Cancer Institute, two out of three people diagnosed with colon cancer now survive, and chances of survival are greater if the disease is caught early. More than 90 percent of stage 1 colon cancer patients survive.
In addition, treatments for colorectal cancer – including robotic laparoscopic surgery – have improved over the last several years.
Angott, who has performed laparoscopies for more than a decade and has been performing robotic laparoscopic surgeries for the past year since Washington Hospital obtained a robotic surgical system, said the technology has decreased the hospital stay to a few days.
“I also have been able to discharge a few patients in a little over 24 hours from the hospital,” said Angott, noting most patients resume normal activities with no restrictions in about two weeks. “We have a great department of general surgeons and gastroenterologists. They all have a lot to offer and treat you as a neighbor, rather than just another patient.”
Angott points out that patients can take proactive steps to avoid colorectal cancer. Among them are:
• Know your family history.
• Control your weight. Obesity has a strong correlation to colon cancer.
• Drink milk and/or take Vitamin D.
• Eat raw fruits and vegetables. Some studies show that they reduce the risk of colon cancer.
• Limit the amount of red meat and processed meat you eat, including pork.
• Limit alcohol. High alcohol consumption (2 to 4 drinks a day) is related to rectal cancer.
• Consider taking aspirin. Aspirin is beneficial for the heart, but it also is believed to inhibit the growth of colon polyps.
Colon cancer is preventable, treatable and beatable, said Eric Hargis, chief executive officer of the Colon Cancer Alliance, and he is asking people to help raise awareness by getting involved in Colorectal Cancer activities.
“Involvement in Colon Cancer Awareness Month over recent years has really increased,” said Hargis. “Our goal is to strike down taboos and get people talking about this disease. Colon cancer can be prevented and if more people really understood that, many lives would be saved.”