COLON CANCER AWARENESS MONTH
PREVALENCE OF COLON CANCER IN OLDER MEN by Dr. Hafeez
Men over 55 years of age can be just as active and healthy as younger men. It may take a little more effort but exercising regularly for 150 minutes a week, eating a healthy diet, and getting the recommended health screenings routinely done can keep them healthy. Getting the screening test done at the right time is essential for a man to stay active and in good health. One of these screening is done to detect colon cancer. Colon cancer is the colon or the rectum’s cancer, which is the passageway that connects the colon to the anus. Sometimes abnormal precancerous growths, called polyps, grow in the colon or rectum, turning into cancer over time. 18
Aging Times Magazine | March 2021
COMMON SYMPTOMS
Colon cancer can present with different symptoms. Its symptoms include a change in bowel habit, blood in or on the stool, feeling that the bowel has not emptied all the way, abdominal pain, and weight loss. Sometimes, colorectal polyps and cancer do not have any symptoms, especially at first. It is possible for someone to have polyps or colorectal cancer and not know about it. That is why it is crucial to get screened regularly for colorectal cancer.
RISK FACTORS
Your risk of getting colon cancer increases as you get older. About 90% of cases occur in people who are
