Have You Been Screened for the Second Leading Cause of Cancer?

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Why is it Important to be screened?

Colorectal cancer, or more commonly known as colon cancer, is the second leading cause of cancer deaths across the country for men and women, according to the Centers of Disease Control (CDC). This type of cancer also affects members of the Black community at far greater rates of any other ethnic or racial group. The numbers are staggering:  Blacks are 20 percent more likely to get colorectal cancer and about 40 percent more likely to die from it compared to other groups. There are many reasons this community is more adversely affected by this disease. What’s even more alarming is that in addition to being disproportionately affected by this disease, the Black community is seeing increasing numbers of people under 50 years of age getting and dying from colorectal cancer. How many of us are still reeling from the news of the death of actor Chadwick Bozeman, the actor famous for the leading role in the movie Black Panther. He was only 43 when he lost his battle with cancer last year.

Causes of Racial Disparity

The Black community tends to face more barriers to access to quality healthcare. Some of these include lack of insurance, or maybe not enough insurance. Then there are the socio-economic factors that still plague many predominantly Black communities such as lack of access to healthy food options, transportation limitations, low-paying jobs and unsafe environments. With younger people now at increased risk, it is now more important than ever to have screenings at earlier ages.

Prevention and Treatment

When colorectal cancer is caught early, it is treatable and beatable.  Preventing this dangerous form of cancer is critical, especially for people of color.  Eighty percent of colorectal cancers occur in people over the age of 50.  Because of this fact, doctors recommend screening to begin around this age, or earlier if you have a family history of this form of cancer or other health conditions such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease. Recommended screenings not only can prevent, but also may catch early stages of cancer and save lives. Dr. Ayesha Nazli of New Horizons Healthcare has reported that the common symptoms observed include rectal bleeding, blood in stool, change in bowel habits, stomach pain and feeling weak or tired. 

Approximately three years ago New Horizons Healthcare started a colorectal cancer screening program focused on addressing the barriers to testing. They have set a goal to reach 80 percent of patients screened appropriately. This program has made significant progress over the last few years, starting with about 32 percent screened in the early stages of the program, to currently achieving 63 percent for the last quarter of 2020. 

As far as determining the best screenings Dr. Nazli recommends that patients consult with their primary care physicians (PCPs) to discuss which options are feasible for them. But typically, those not showing symptoms are recommended a non-invasive test.  High risk patients and patients with any symptoms are advised to have a colonoscopy.

When do I see a doctor?

The American Cancer Society recommends that you visit a doctor if you have the following symptoms:

1. A change in bowel habits, such as diarrhea, constipation, or narrowing of the stool that lasts for more than a few days.
2. A feeling that you need to have a bowel movement that is not relieved by having one.
3. Rectal bleeding.
4. Blood in the stool, which might make the stool look dark brown or black.
5. Cramping or pain in the abdomen (stomach).
6. Feeling tired or weak.
7. Losing weight without trying.

Tags: Health