Screenings Lower Your Odds of Colon Cancer

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Colon cancer is second only to lung cancer as the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S., but it can be treated if caught early.

Gastroenterologist Gary Bodnarchuk, M.D., said screening offers the single best method of discovering colon cancer at a treatable stage.

“There are many screening options,” said Dr. Bodnarchuk. “See your doctor regularly to determine what option is best for you.”

Many health experts recommend that people 50 and older have screenings with one or more of these tests:

Screening Test	Frequency
Fecal occult blood test (FOBT)	Yearly
Flexible sigmoidoscopy	Every five years
Colonoscopy	Every 10 years
Double-contrast barium enema	Every five to 10 years

You can lower your risk of developing colon cancer by:

Exercising regularly.
Managing your weight.
Eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, chicken and whole grains.
Not smoking.
Limiting alcohol intake.

While colon cancer often causes no symptoms in its early stages, warning signs may include:

Persistent diarrhea.
Constipation.
Narrow stools or blood in your stool.
Weight loss with no obvious cause.
Abdominal gas, bloating or cramps.
Constant fatigue.
Vomiting.

The Center for Digestive Health at Western Baptist offers colonoscopies, endoscopies, bronchoscopies, pH monitoring and camera-in-a-pill technology. It is located on the second floor of Doctors Office Building 3 and connects directly to the hospital’s parking structure for convenient access. It features six procedure rooms and on-site registration. To learn more, phone Baptist Health Line at (270) 575-2918.