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Colon Cancer
Colorectal Cancer Prevention
Colorectal cancer is the #2 cancer killer in the United States, yet it’s one of the most easily preventable. Booking a screening appointment today could save your life. Encouraging your loved ones to get screened could save their lives.
Colorectal cancer screening procedures like colonoscopies allow Dr. Marc Edelstein to examine your intestinal lining and remove any abnormal polyps and lesions that might turn into cancer.
Without screening, approximately 1 in 17 people in the U.S. will develop colorectal cancer during their lifetime. Regular screening can cut your risk significantly!
Did You Know?
- It usually takes about 10 to 15 years for abnormal cells to develop into colorectal cancer. That’s why screening is so effective: we can find and remove many abnormalities long before they become cancerous.
- When colorectal cancer is found early and treated, the 5-year survival rate is 90%. In sad contrast, only 8% of patients with late-stage colorectal cancer survive beyond 5 years.
- In 2008, an estimated 49,000 Americans will die of colon cancer. The majority of those lives could have been saved with screening, early detection and treatment.
- Screening rates are currently so low that less than 40% of colorectal cancers are found early. More than half of all Americans over 50 have never been screened. You can be part of the solution: book your screening appointment today.
The simplest way to prevent colon cancer is to begin screening at age 50, or earlier if you have risk factors.
Your risk of developing colorectal cancer increases with age. Lifestyle, genetics and other factors may increase your risk. Know your risk factors and make a screening appointment if you’re under 50 but have greater than average risk.
Other risk factors:
- Family history of colorectal cancer
- Personal or family history of colorectal polyps
- History of inflammatory bowel disease including Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease
Cut your risk and gain peace of mind:
If you have one or more of these risk factors, book an appointment with Dr. Marc Edelstein today and find out what screening option would be best for you.
Inherited Colorectal Cancer Syndromes:
As many as 150,000 cases of colorectal (colon and/or rectal) cancer are diagnosed each year in both men and women of all ages. Five to ten percent of these cases are caused by inherited gene mutations that increase a person's lifetime risk of colorectal cancer. Hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) or Lynch syndrome and the adenomatous polyposis syndromes are the most common inherited syndromes that increase the risk for colorectal cancer and, in some cases, for other cancers.
The adenomatous polyposis syndromes include familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), attenuated FAP (AFAP), and MYH -associated polyposis (MAP).The most distinct difference between the inherited colorectal cancer syndromes is the number of polyps that develop in the colon and rectum. The adenomatous polyposis syndromes are all associated with multiple precancerous (adenomatous) colorectal polyps. Usually patients with these conditions develop between ten and thousands of polyps throughout their lifetime.
In contrast, HNPCC is associated with very few polyps that appear mostly on the right side of the colon. With all the inherited colorectal cancer syndromes, there is a significant lifetime risk of colorectal cancer. HNPCC is caused by an inherited mutation in the MLH1, MAH2, or MSH6 genes that, when functioning normally, work to prevent cancer. Signs of HNPCC include early-onset (often before age 50) of colorectal and/or endometrial (uterine) cancer, as well as other related cancers such as: ovarian, stomach, kidney/urinary tract, brain, biliary tract, pancreas, small bowel, and sebaceous adenomas.
Does cancer run in your family?
- Has any family member, mother or father’s side, had colon cancer before age 50?
- Has any family member, mother or father’s side, had endometrial cancer before age 50?
- Have you or any of your family members been diagnosed with 10 or more colon polyps?
- Has a gene mutation ever been identified in any family member?
If you answered "yes" to one or more of these questions, you or your family may have an inherited genetic change known as hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC) or Lynch syndrome.
Beverly Hills Gastroenterology offers genetic testing through Myriad® Laboratories including testing for HNPCC (hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer) and adenomatous polyposis syndromes, including familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), attenuated FAP (AFAP), and MYH-associated polyposis (MAP)
Gastrointestinal disorders can be caused by or exacerbated by factors such as diet, stress, lifestyle, and genetics. After diagnosing your condition, we will help you understand the possible causes of your problems and educate you about nutrition and lifestyle changes that can help you feel better and remain healthy. We also provide genetic testing when applicable for patients and their family members.…Read more
We are continually strengthening our educational resources for patients and their families, as part of our strong commitment to our patient's health.…Read more
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