Society reports colon cancer preventable

    Colon cancer can be easily prevented, yet it remains the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, the American Cancer Society (ACS) reports.

   In Tarrant County approximately 504 people are diagnosed every year, and 192 will die of the disease.

   Colon cancer screening tests identify suspicious or precancerous polyps, which can be removed before they develop into a serious health problem.

   “Routine colon cancer testing can actually prevent the disease from occurring,” Dr. Robert C. Young, national volunteer president of ACS, said.

   Preventing colon cancer altogether through testing is the ideal outcome, ACS advises, but early detection of the disease also yields important health benefits.

   Nationally, people whose colon cancers are found at an early stage through testing have five-year survival rates of 90 percent.

   However, only 37 percent of colon cancers are detected in the earliest stages.

   People should begin colon cancer testing earlier and test more often if they fall into some of the risk categories, ACS points out.

   Some of the risk factors for both men and women include age, race, personal or family history of colon cancer, personal or family history of intestinal polyps, personal history of inflammatory bowel disease, smoking or use of tobacco products, physical inactivity and diets of red meats.

   The American Cancer Society recommends men and women, beginning at age 50, should choose from five different testing options to help detect possible colon cancer.

   This month, as the nation observes the third annual National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, ACS is boosting efforts to increase colon cancer testing and to eliminate the taboo associated with talking about the disease.

   ACS is planning a campaign for March. For more information, call 817-737-9990.