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Home  Senior Living Screenings Critical for Colorectal Cancer Control
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Screenings Critical for Colorectal Cancer Control |
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Wednesday, 05 April 2006 |
The Georgia Department of Human Resources (DHR) encourages everyone ages 50 and older to get checked for colorectal cancer by their healthcare provider.
“Colorectal cancers claim the lives of more than 1,500 Georgians each year. However, the survival rate from this type of cancer is 90% or more when it is detected early,” says Dr. Stuart Brown, director for the Division of Public Health. “About 75% of new colorectal cancer cases occur in patients with no known risk factors, making routine screening extremely important.”
According to the American Cancer Society, at least one-third of colorectal cancer deaths can be avoided if people follow colorectal screening guidelines. Most colorectal cancers develop from polyps, non-cancerous growths that can change over time into cancer; screenings can lead to removal of polyps and actually prevent cancer.
The American Cancer Society recommends that beginning at age 50, men and women who are at average risk for developing colorectal cancer undergo annual screenings. Several options for colorectal screening are available.
People are encouraged to talk to their healthcare provider about the right type test and how often they should be screened based on age, family history and other possible risk factors.
Getting Checked is a part of the Live Healthy Georgia campaign which encourages Georgians to Eat Healthy, Be Active, Be Smoke Free and Be Positive. For more info on the Live Healthy Georgia Campaign, visit www.livehealthygeorgia.org. |
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