While an uncomfortable subject to talk about, March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and everyone should understand the importance of colon health and ways to help prevent this type of cancer.

The American Cancer Society reports that, excluding skin cancer, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women in the United States. The organization estimates the number of new cases this year at more than 97,200 for colon cancer and over 43,000 for rectal cancer.

Dr. Ben Thomas is a Kettering Health-affiliated physician who specializes in gastroenterology. He says that, as we get older, the risk of colorectal cancer increases, so the most important preventative measure is age-appropriate screenings.

“For an average-risk individual with no family history of colon cancer, the guidelines recommend the first screening at age 50,” he explains. “For African-Americans, it starts at age 45, and for anyone with a family history of colon cancer, we start at 40.”

Screenings typically are discontinued past age 75. After that, the decision to screen is based on the patient’s health and life expectancy.

In addition to age, pre-existing conditions, such as type 2 diabetes or inflammatory bowel disease, can affect your risk. People with these conditions should consult their physician to determine an appropriate screening schedule.

For people with no symptoms, screening is the best way to prevent colorectal cancer because screening helps to find cancer in the early stages before it can develop or grow. Multiple methods are used to screen for this cancer, including various tests for blood and DNA in fecal material.

The standard colonoscopy

People generally hear about the more invasive procedures used to detect colon disease. The most commonly known procedure, the standard colonoscopy, is used to spot and identify pre-cancerous growths early and remove them before they can advance.

A long, flexible tube with a camera on the tip, called a colonoscope, is inserted through the rectum and allows the doctor to visualize the colon’s interior. Colorectal cancer usually begins as a small growth in the colon or rectum called a polyp. Some of the polyps revealed during the colonoscopy are benign; others have the potential to become cancer.

The importance of a colonoscopy in preventing cancer cannot be overstressed, yet people still resist having the procedure. People often avoid colonoscopies because they hear the procedure is uncomfortable.

“Whatever patients may have heard in the past, sedation methods are much better today, and the overall discomfort is minimal,” Dr. Thomas says. “The preparation for the test is probably the most uncomfortable part because you have to drink a lot of the prep fluid, which is essentially a laxative to clean out the gastrointestinal (GI) system.”

Dealing with a bit of discomfort and having the tests done at the proper time have proven benefits. According to Harvard Medical School’s Harvard Health Publishing, recent studies reported that patients who had polyps removed during a colonoscopy were 40 percent less likely to develop cancer than those not screened.

When to see your doctor

Everyone has experienced GI distress, such as abdominal pain, cramping, and general discomfort. When persistent symptoms occur, you should see your doctor, particularly if blood is in the stool, inexplicable weight loss, or chronic abdominal pain.

Sometimes these symptoms are associated with common GI problems. The goal, however, is to catch more serious issues before becoming symptomatic.

While it may be the most important preventative measure, screening is not the only way to help reduce the risks of colorectal cancer. Like most other cancers, your lifestyle also can impact the potential for this type of cancer. The risk is higher if you smoke or use alcohol excessively. Regular exercise and a balanced diet can help reduce those risks.