ART OF HEALING | MARCH - COLORECTAL CANCER

from The Arts Today Newszine - vol 6.2

The death of Black Panther star, Chadwick Boseman, has brought increased urgency to better educate on Colorecal

Cancer. Boseman passed away August 28th, 2020 at the age of 43 after a 4 year battle with Colon Cancer. He was diagnosed at the age of 39 with stage 3 colon cancer. His passing shocked the entertainment world and caused medical professionals to look at the screening criteria.

For years colon cancer screenings were recommended for those who are 50 years of age and older. Unless there is a family history of disease occurrence. But recently there has been an increase in colorectal cancer findings in those under the age of 50 which is causing concern.

The American Cancer Society recently changed its recommended age for adults to receive screenings from the age of 50 to the age of 45 in response to the worrying trend. More healthcare facilities are encouraging patients to take a closer look at family history so that genetic disposition can be determined. So take the time to speak with family members to see if there might have been diagnoses of colorectal cancer. Your family history is very important.

It is also strongly encouraged to not be afraid to go to the doctor for regular health screenings. As with other cancers, early detection is preferred for better health outcomes.

What is Colorectal Cancer?

Colorectal Cancer (Colon Cancer) is a cancer that presents anywhere in the large intestines down to the rectum. It occurs when abnormal growths form in the colon or rectum becoming cancerous.

It is the second deadliest cancer in the United States among men and women combined, with black and brown communities being disproportionately affected.

If caught early, colon cancer can be 90% beatable.

What are the risk factors of Colorectal Cancer?

•Obesity

•Diet with too much fatty food

•Too much Fried Food

It is suggested that everyone make lifestyle changes now. Increase the amount of fiber in the diet, include more fresh fruits and vegetables, and get more exercise.

What is the screening process?

A Colonoscopy is done to search for suspicious abnormalities (this procedure also allows benign polyps to be removed)

If your colonoscopy finds no abnormalities or polyps, your next colonoscopy will occur 10 years later (if you do not develop symptoms)

Other screenings are:

Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) - this test requires the patient to acquire a stool sample at home and send it to a lab for testing. The lab will look for hidden blood in the stool. This test will need to be completed yearly.

Multi-Target Stool DNA (MT-sDNA) Screening - This is also a home sample that is sent to the lab for testing. The lab will look for Biomarkers associated with colorectal cancer. This test will need to be done every three years.

Computed Tomography Colonography (CTC) - This test is a scan that is done in the Radiology Department. It looks for any growths or changes in the large bowel or rectum.

If one of these alternate tests comes back positive, a diagnostic colonoscopy will be performed.

Pay Attention to Your Body! Signs of Colorectal Cancer are:

•Tiredness (Weakness)

•Uncontrolled weight loss

•Blood in stools (dark-colored stools)

•Change in bowel habits

•Feeling the urge to have a bowel movement after just having one

•Cramping in the belly

Chadwick Boseman Was an American actor. He is known for his portrayal of T'Challa / Black Panther in the Marvel Cinematic Universe from 2016 to 2019, particularly in Black Panther (2018), and for his starring roles as several pioneering Americans, Jackie Robinson in 42 (2013), James Brown in Get on Up (2014), and Thurgood Marshall in Marshall (2017). He also had choice parts in The Express (2008), Draft Day (2014), and Message from the King (2016). Born in Anderson, South Carolina, he attended Howard University and studied at the Oxford Mid-Summer Program for acting, before moving to Los Angeles in 2008 to pursue his craft on the big screen. He died in 2020, after a four year bout with colon cancer, during which time he had starred in several of the biggest movies ever made.

- IMDb Mini Biography By: Pedro Borges

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