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News

By: Denise Thompson, RN

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Early detection saves LIVES! Colorectal Cancer affects both men and women of all racial and ethnic groups.  People 50 and older are at higher risk. You may be at greater risk if you smoke or have a family history of colorectal cancer. Colorectal Cancer occurs in the colon or rectum, usually has no symptoms in the early stages and is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. If people at risk have regular Colorectal CancerScreening, deaths may be prevented or drastically declined (CDC, 2015).  Screening is effective! Some tests include:

  • The Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) is accurate, easy to use, and is done in the privacy of your own home. This test checks for hidden (occult) blood in the stool. Polyps or tumors in the colon have blood vessels on their surface that can release small amounts of blood into the stool. FIT screening is done annually.
  • A colonoscopy examines the rectum and entire colon detecting polyps, tumors or abnormalities of the rectum and colon. This test is done every 10 years or earlier if indicated by family history, medical history or recommendations of provider.

Take action, talk to your health care provider, get screened if you are age 50 or older. Ask which test is right for you. Early detection improves your chances of beating Colorectal Cancer.

Conciencia del cáncer colorectal: Tomar acción hacia la detección temprana y la prevención.

¡Marzo es el mes de la conciencia del cáncer colorectal. La detección temprana salva vidas! El cáncer colorectal afecta a hombres y mujeres de todas las razas y grupos étnicos. Las personas mayores de 50 años están en mayor riesgo. Usted puede estar en mayor riesgo si usted fuma o tiene una historia familiar de cáncer colorectal. El cáncer colorectal ocurre en el colon o en el recto, por lo general no presenta síntomas en las primeras etapas y es la segunda causa principal de muertes relacionadas con cáncer en los Estados Unidos. Si las personas en situación de riesgo de detección regulares tienen cáncer colorectal, las muertes se pueden prevenir o disminuir drásticamente (CDC, 2015). ¡La detección es efectiva! Algunas pruebas incluyen:

  • La prueba inmunoquímica fecal (FIT) es precisa, fácil de usar, y se realiza en la intimidad de su propia casa. Esta prueba busca indicios de sangre escondida (oculta) en las heces. Los pólipos o tumores en el colon tienen vasos sanguíneos en su superficie que puede liberar pequeñas cantidades de sangre en las heces. FIT detección se realiza anualmente.
  • Una colonoscopia examina el recto y todo el colon para detectar pólipos, tumores o anomalías del recto y el colon. Esta prueba se realiza cada 10 años o antes si es indicado por los antecedentes familiares, antecedentes médicos o recomendaciones del proveedor.

Tomar medidas, hable con su proveedor de cuidados de la salud, hacerse la prueba si usted es 50 años o más. Pregunta qué prueba es adecuado para usted. La detección temprana mejora sus posibilidades de vencer el cáncer colorectal.

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