LIVE WELL (Cont.)
New Recommendation: Start Colorectal Cancer Screening at Age 45 Recommended cancer screenings, like colonoscopy, help save lives by catching cancer early. We use these preventive screenings to help keep your health and your life on track, so you can continue to feel strong for years to come.
health history and your doctor’s recommendation, you may be able to choose one of two different screenings for colorectal cancer. You can have a stoolbased test that looks for signs of cancer in your stool. For this test, you will put a stool sample in a special container It’s important to reand mail it to a lab for ceive the screenings examination. If there you need, when you are signs of cancer, need them. Recently, you’ll need a colonosthe American Cancer copy. This test should Society changed its rec- be repeated every 1 – 3 ommendations for col- years. orectal cancer screenings and encouraged Or, your doctor might millions of Americans recommend a coloto get their screening at noscopy, which is a younger age. considered to be the gold standard in canWhy Did the Screencer screening. These screenings allow your ing Recommendation Change? doctor to examine your colon and rectum as well as remove The American Cancer Society reviewed any polyps for biopsy. records of more than Colonoscopies are sim500,000 people with ple and painless and colorectal cancer. In can provide you with their research, they peace of mind about discovered that more your health. young people are deIf your colonoscopy veloping colorectal shows no signs of cancer, you likely won’t cancer than ever beneed to have one again fore. To help detect these for 10 years. cancers as early as possible, they recommend- Why Colorectal Cancer ed moving the screen- Screenings are Importing to age 45, instead ant of age 50, even among people with an average Colorectal cancer rates risk of cancer. are on the rise, and Types of Colorectal while treatments are Cancer Screenings improving, there’s no substitute for early deDepending on your tection.
Many colorectal cancers don’t cause symptoms until they have already grown large or spread to other parts of your body, becoming stage III or stage IV cancers. These cancers require more invasive, aggressive treatment and have lower survival rates than stage I cancers. A colonoscopy can detect colon cancer in stage I or even in pre-cancerous stages. At these early stages, you may only need a simple surgery to remove polyps instead of surgery and chemotherapy — and will have the best possible chance at remission and survival. Schedule Your Screening Today Early detection is key to protecting your life and helping you stay healthy for years to come. If you’re concerned about seeking care in person, know that we are doing everything we can to keep you safe while you’re here. Including:
• Temperature Checks: Have peace of mind that everyone you come in contact with has their temperature checked upon arrival. • Separate Waiting and Treatment Areas: COVID-19-positive and symptomatic patients are carefully quarantined away from patients and visitors. • Extra Sanitation Measures: Cleanliness has always been one of our top priorities, but now we’re taking extraordinary new steps to ensure thorough, frequent and ongoing sanitation happens around the clock. • Universal Mask Use: We’re stocked with safety supplies, have no shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) and masks are required for all at our facilities.
It’s safe — and essential — to continue getting the preventive care you need. We’re ready when you’re ready. Learn more about our gastrointestinal cancer care services at Get• Social Distancing: With limited visitation, ScreenedToday.com. waiting room protocols and more, you can safely practice social distancing in our facilities.
