I don’t wanna know
This is one of the most common unfortunate responses I get from patients when speaking about the need for screening for colorectal cancer. They look away from me, avoiding eye contact. They flush blood tinged stool down the toilet and pretend it doesn’t exist or that it will go away. Privately cringing with thoughts of having a doctor stick a gloved finger into their rectum to check for anything. Afraid to die and at the same time – afraid to take the necessary steps to live a longer, healthier life.
Makes me want to holler! Throw up both my hands… (Channeling Marvin Gaye)
Over and over again you will hear me talk about the human body. How totally incredible it is and how so much happens to keep so many processes going so that we may yet live – and live more abundantly.
How Cancer Works
Cells are the smallest unit that makes tissue and tissue (all types) make up our various organs. Cells grow and divide, and grow and divide and grow and divide… over and over – on command as the body needs it. Skin cut? No problem – new cells form to make new skin as the old cells die and slough away. This process or one similar to it takes place almost everywhere in your body. So much injury that you can’t even see or feel takes place on a regular basis.
It All Goes Wrong
But then something… for some reason goes wrong. Perhaps you have a gene that at a certain time in your life starts to express itself – sending other signals to your cells to grow and die differently. Or perhaps it is because your body has had too much exposure to poisons. When cancer hits a cell the old cells don’t die when they should and the new cells keep growing – even when they are not needed.
March is Colorectal Cancer Month: A few things you should know
Colorectal Cancer affects men and women and is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Colorectal Cancer is largely preventable and occurs most often in people over age 50.
As you age, you have a higher risk for getting cancer but even if you are young you may have a higher than average risk of Colorectal Cancer in the following circumstances: 1) You have a close relative or a strong family history of relatives with colorectal polyps or colorectal cancer; 2) You have Inflammatory Bowel Disease (ie Crohn’s Disease or Ulcerative Colitis); 3) You have one of a multitude of genetic syndromes , like familial adenomatous polyposis.
Silent Can Be Deadly
Colorectal cancer often has no symptoms. That’s why SCREENING is important. If you are lucky enough to have symptoms – you need to act on them promptly. Things like blood in your stools, stomach pains, aches or cramps that don’t go away, or unexplained weight loss.
The Bottom Line
The sooner you know, the better your chances are to be cured. Colorectal cancer screening saves lives. A whole lot more people could live a whole lot longer if they would just get screened. Screening comes in many forms – from testing your stool for blood to having a colonoscopy. It is important to speak with your primary care physician about your risks and the benefits for screening.
An Ounce of Prevention
While screening catches cancers early before they have a chance to really grow or spread, not ever getting the cancer in the first place is most optimal. I cannot over emphasize the crucial roll your diet and lifestyle can play in the prevention of cancer…
Here’s a quick list:
Don’t Smoke Cigarettes (toxins promote cancer)
Don’t Drink Alcohol (toxins promote cancer)
Eat 10 servings of fruits and vegetables daily (Full of anti-oxidants)
Avoid processed food (toxins promote cancer)
Eat whole grains (fiber absorbs toxins and add bulk to promote emptying)
Drink lots of water (hydrates, promotes emptying/cleansing)
Move your body (eliminates toxins, promotes healthy digestion)
No more SECRETS!
Open your mouth and speak your truth about cancer. Talk to your family, your friends, and your primary care physician. Share your fears and your victories if you are a cancer survivor. Cancer does not always a death sentence – but you have to ACT.
For more information about colorectal cancer and screening visit the American Cancer Society Website and make it a point to speak with your primary care doctor.
