This March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month and it is time to let everyone know if you are 45 or older it is time to get screened. Colon Cancer is the second leading cause of death from cancer in both men and women. The number one spot is held by lung cancer most of which is caused by smoking cigarettes and those exposed to second hand smoke. It is possible that you can get lung cancer if you have never smoked just from being exposed to second hand smoke.
I was diagnosed with colon cancer 28 years ago, when I was having some bleeding which I thought was hemorrhoids. My only doctor was my gynecologist who I saw once a year for my annual checkup. He sent me to a colon rectal surgeon who did a sigmoidoscopy in his office and found and removed a polyp. He sent it out to be biopsied and a week later I returned to his office and he told me I had cancer. Because I was so young he said I needed a colon resection to make sure the cancer had not spread.
One month after diagnosis I was admitted to the hospital for surgery and would need to stay there for one week to recover. My abdomen was cut from belly button to pubic bone and 10 inches of my colon was removed to be biopsied. My colon was reattached and my abdomen stitched up which was very painful. Three days later I was told the cancer had not spread and I was thankful I saw a doctor right away. No further treatment was required.
The best way to stay healthy is to eat healthy, get daily exercise and keep your stress level down. Exercise is a great stress reliever and it also helps keep you at a heathy weight. The food you eat makes a big difference in your life and can prevent many diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure and even cancer.
If you have changes in bowel habits, pain or rectal bleeding see a doctor right away. Find out if you have any family history of colon or rectal cancer. This is vital information for your doctor. Screening may need to start earlier if you have a family history of colon or rectal cancer.
Take great care of yourself and your family by leading a healthy life.
Love and best wishes,
Tracy