National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in March

Colorectal cancer or cancer of the rectum is prevalent in males and females, and kills more than 50,000 Americans every year. Roughly 140,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. For this reason, March has been designated as National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. This is a good time to consult Anton Bilchik to discuss screenings, symptoms and treatment.

The risk of developing this form of cancer increases with age, as more than 90% of all victims are over the age of 50. Screenings can help save your life, but many people neglect to do so until it is too late.  The screening detects precancerous polyps which can then be removed before cancer takes hold. It can also detect cancer in its early stages, allowing for more effective treatment.

You can help reduce your risk of colorectal cancer by following a few personal guidelines. Increase the amount of activity you are getting and ramp up its intensity. Lose weight and avoid obesity, particularly around the gut. Avoid smoking, including secondhand smoke, and reduce alcohol intake.

Early colorectal cancer has almost no noticeable symptoms. Polyps and colorectal cancer can be present without you knowing. Some symptoms may include blood in the stool, stomach aches or pains that persist, or unexplained weight loss. These symptoms can also have other causes which only your doctor can determine.

Anton Bilchik can perform screenings to detect colorectal cancer. He can also provide suggestions for decreasing your risk of this form of cancer. If you have colorectal cancer, contact him today to discuss your treatment options.