Health Department: Screening Vital to Diagnosing, Treating Colorectal Cancer

Submitted by the DuPage County Health Department, David Hass

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness month and the DuPage County Health Department recommends that county residents get screened for this disease because it is one of the few cancers that can be successfully treated if detected early.

About 51,000 Americans die of colorectal cancer each year. It is a leading cause of death for both men and women, but there is hope. Mortality rates for colorectal cancer have been declining for 20 years—mostly due to screening and early treatment—yet only six in 10 adults are up to date on their screening schedules.

Start getting screened at age 50 if you are at average risk for colorectal cancer. If you are at higher risk, you may need to get started at an earlier age and get screened more often. If you are older than 75, ask your doctor if you should continue to be screened. The best time to get screened is before you have any symptoms.

See your doctor about tests that find pre-cancer and cancer and how often they should be taken.

The health department recommends these colorectal cancer prevention tips:

• Be physically active for at least 30 minutes, at least five days a week.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Don’t smoke. Quit if you do smoke.
• If you drink alcohol, have no more than one drink a day if you’re a woman or two drinks a day if you’re a man.
• Eat fruits, vegetable and whole grains to stay healthy.
• Eat less red meat and cut out processed meats.

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