Colon polyps and Cancer: Early detection

All too often, patients wait until a symptom has developed before they seek medical advice.

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If you are 50 years of age or older  , the American College of Gastroenterology

recommends having a screening examination for colon and rectal cancer.

They consider Colonoscopy to be the preferred type of examination.

Individual symptoms, family history, personal history of polyps, colitis greater than 7-10 years duration, or personal history of cancer of the colon , breast , uterus, ovaries and some other cancers may warrant more frequent examination.

Symptoms that require discussion with your physician:

Change in bowel habit.

Prolonged diarrhea or constipation.

Rectal bleeding (it may not always be the hemorrhoid).

Unexplained weight loss or anemia.

Iron deficiency.

Persistent abdominal gas or cramps.

Colorectal cancer can be cured if detected early. You should not wait for symptoms to develop to detect it early.

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