Caring for your health is vital at any age, but it becomes much more crucial as you get older since the risk of diseases like cancer and cardiovascular illnesses rises with age. A colonoscopy procedure winder ga is one of the screening tests that has played a critical role in helping to reduce death rates related to colon cancer New Britain CT-related issues during the last few decades. In this post, gastroenterologist and internal medicine doctor Dr. Ven Kottapalli and his expert staff look at why Lima colon cancer screening may be beneficial for your health and wellness. Read on to find out more.
Why Should You Have A Colon Cancer Screening?
The response to the above-highlighted question may seem self-evident, but a screening exam is about more than just identifying cancer. Aside from the apparent benefit of detecting colon cancer through screening, a colonoscopy could also benefit you in the following ways:
v Early Detection
For most medical concerns, the sooner a problem is recognized and addressed, the better the chances of successful therapy, and colon cancer is no exception. The five-year survival rate for colon cancer is around 90% if detected early when it is still confined to the colon. This five-year survival rate lowers by around 20% if cancer has progressed to nearby lymph nodes or other organs, and it continues to drop as the cancer advances to more catastrophic stages. Undoubtedly, early diagnosis saves lives by detecting tumors when they are more curable.
v Identifying Possible Issues
In addition to identifying colon cancer, screening can locate possible problems before they become a crisis. The same way your dentist may identify bone deterioration in your teeth before it develops into a cavity, your GI specialist may identify premalignant polyps growing in your colon.
Whereas such developments are not currently malignant, they can become so in the near future. By detecting and addressing precancerous cells before they become malignant, colon cancer could be stopped in its tracks. As you might expect, addressing suspected cancer at this point is more effective than addressing malignant growths at an earlier stage.
When Should You Get A Colorectal Cancer Screening?
50 years is regarded as a common benchmark as most colorectal cancer incidences happen in older persons. As a result, most people are advised to have frequent colon cancer screenings once they reach this age group.
Nonetheless, the risk of colon cancer amongst persons below 50 years has progressively increased in the last two decades. Therefore, the older and younger generation alike can benefit from screening tests. You should seek colon cancer screening if any of the following is true to you:
- Your family has a history of colon cancer
- You have an individual history of intestinal infections or disorders, including inflammatory bowel disease or Crohn’s disease or
- You have had radiation therapy for other tumors or disorders in the past
- You have a hereditary condition that renders you more likely to get polyps
The significance of colon cancer screening cannot be understated. Not only can it help you identify cancer in the early stages, but it could also address possible concerns before they develop into malignancies. At GI Physicians Inc., Dr. Ven Kottapalli works to ensure that your screening procedures are as comfortable and safe as possible. Make an appointment through mobile or book online to find out more.