Don’t Sit On It … Routine Colon Cancer Screenings Can Save Lives

“The biggest symptom for colon cancer … is none,” said Thadix Cox, MD, St. Claire HealthCare Medical Director of Specialty Services and Gastroenterologist. “That’s why it’s so important to have a colonoscopy regularly.”

The American Cancer Society recommends that adults age 45 or older without a family history of colon cancer should be screened. Those with a family history of colon cancer or polyps should be screened by age 40 or 10 years before the age of the youngest case in your immediate family.

“The majority of people diagnosed with colon cancer won’t show any symptoms,” said Dr. Cox. “Patients that start to have symptoms, such as rectal bleeding, constipation, and abnormal weight loss may have put off their screening too long and should be seen by their doctor as soon as possible.”

Getting your colonoscopy done early can prevent you from developing colon cancer. Routine screening is recognized as the most effective way to reduce the risk of colon cancer. Colon cancer develops as a growth inside the colon called a polyp, which can take 10 or more years to begin to develop into cancer. Through colonoscopies, polyps in the colon can be found and removed before they become too serious.

“Colon cancer is very curable,” said Dr. Cox. “St. Claire HealthCare offers all the services you may need to prevent, diagnose, and even cure colon cancer for our patients.”

Dr. Cox and his team provide endoscopy procedures including colonoscopy. If you are 45 years or older or have a family history of colon cancer and are due for your colonoscopy, talk with your doctor about a referral to St. Claire HealthCare or call 606.780.5559 for questions about scheduling your screening.