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The
Martha's Vineyard Times is a weekly publication.
March 10 - March 16, 2005 Edition
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Health
Matters: March 10, 2005 By Dr. Pieter Pil March is the month that heralds the appearance of spring. Spring symbolizes the renewal of life. Thus it is that March was chosen six years ago as National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Colorectal cancer is a serious and potentially life-limiting illness. According to the American Cancer Society, more than 145,000 Americans will be diagnosed with colon cancer in 2005. In this same year, 56,000 Americans will die from colon cancer. Colon cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death in both men and women and it is estimated that it will affect one in 18 people during their lifetime. Here on Martha's Vineyard, we expect to identify 10 new cases of colon cancer this year. The good news is that you can decrease your risk of dying of colon cancer through prevention and detection. Although scientists are only beginning to elucidate the factors that contribute to the development of colon cancer, population-based studies have indicated that a healthy lifestyle may decrease your risk of developing colon cancer as well as heart disease and other ailments. Living a healthy lifestyle requires taking charge of your physical activity and your diet and maintaining a healthy weight. Adults should exercise 30 minutes or more five times a week. Limit your intake of fats, particularly those of animal origin, and consume at least five servings of fruits and vegetables a day. Screening tests allow doctors to identify cancerous changes in the colon in their early stages. Early stage colon cancer is effectively treated with surgery, leading to a cure for many patients. According to the American Cancer Society, more than 30,000 lives a year could be saved if everyone over the age of 50 got tested for colon cancer. More than 90 percent of all colon cancer cases occur in people over the age of 50, which is why the half-century mark was chosen as the starting point for screening regimens. Different screening modalities are available and may include fecal blood testing, endoscopy, and double-contrast barium enemas. Colonoscopy, a procedure in which a flexible telescope is inserted into the colon via the rectum, is the widely accepted gold standard for colon cancer screening and should be performed every 10 years beginning at age 50. Screening colonoscopies, using state-of-the art equipment, are performed routinely at the Martha's Vineyard Hospital. If you are over the age of 50, check with your doctor to see if a screening colonoscopy is right for you. Avoid becoming another statistic. Make this your year of prevention and detection. Dr. Pieter Pil is a surgeon at the Martha's Vineyard Hospital. |
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