By Emran R. Imami, MD
Medical Columnisty

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the United States, following prostate, breast and lung cancers. This means that one in 18 Americans will develop colorectal cancer during their lifetime. Fortunately, many advances have been made in the early detection and treatment of colorectal cancer, and with vigilant colorectal cancer screening, you can almost eliminate your risk of developing this disease.

Symptoms of colorectal cancer commonly include rectal bleeding, weight loss, abdominal pain and unexplained anemia. You should see your physician immediately if you develop any of these symptoms. Unfortunately, these are usually late signs. We know that colorectal cancers often begin as small, silent polyps which slowly grow over about 10 years into cancers.

Polyps are like small warts, moles or mushroom like growths within the lining of the colon. They rarely cause symptoms; however, if they are identified and removed early, physicians can actually keep you from developing colorectal cancer.Obesity, smoking, family history of colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease and polyps all increase your risk for colorectal cancer. Colonoscopy remains the gold standard screening study for colorectal cancer. Everyone should undergo screening colonoscopy every 10 years beginning at age 50. African Americans should start sooner at age 45 and persons with family members having colon polyps may need colonoscopy beginning at age 40. People with a family history of colorectal cancer or inflammatory bowel disease need colonoscopy at even younger ages.

Colonoscopy is a safe outpatient procedure which takes about 30 minutes. One day prior to your colonoscopy, you are asked to drink a liquid or take pills which will cleanse your bowels of any stool. Your physician can then safely sedate you and insert a small camera into your rectum to inspect the lining of your entire colon. If your physician finds a polyp even as small as
1/8 inch, they can remove it painlessly. Your physician may request repeating your colonoscopy in 2-5 years until they are certain all polyps have been removed.

CAT scan colonography virtual colonoscopy is an alternative to standard colonoscopy. Similar to colonoscopy you take a bowel prep, but instead of inserting a camera, your physician obtains a CAT scan of your colon. Since this can only detect polyps ½ inch or larger, your physician would repeat this every 5 years. The future of early colorectal cancer detection includes genetic testing and may include a DNA study on your stool sample looking for precancerous cells. Colorectal cancer is one of the few diseases modern medicine can actually prevent.

See your physician and develop the best plan for your colorectal screening.

 

Dr. Emran Imami is certified by the American Board of Surgery and is an invited Fellow of the prestigious American College of Surgeons. He has over 25 years of surgical experience and was a distinguished teacher and Associate Professor of Surgery at the University of Florida for over 12 years. He is a compassionate individual committed to providing outstanding care to this community. In 1999 he transformed Holmes Regional Medical Center into the state’s 19th Trauma Center. Dr. Imami retains many areas of expertise, ranging from screening colonoscopy to coordinating comprehensive care for women with breast ailments and cancer. Please
visit www.doctorimami.com for more information.

 

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