1.Risk increases if you are more than 50 years old.
- 90% + of cases of Colorectal Cancer appear in people over 50.
- Though the risk is highest after the age of 50, some suggest that 40 is a good time to start getting screened, that way the warning signs can be detected with ample time. Talk to your doctor about screening for Colorectal Cancer.
2. Genetics, family history and age are all common factors for the likelihood of being diagnosed with colorectal cancer.
3. Screening options include colonoscopy, which are done every ~10 years, fecal occult blood test or stool tests, which are done every year, and sigmoidoscopy, which are done every five years.
Southwest Diagnostic Center for Molecular Imaging (SWDCMI) is the outpatient imaging arm for the new Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital Dallas Cancer Center. Learn more about our services here.
4. Eating red meat and processed meat have been linked to developing colorectal cancer. You should also exercise, and avoid alcohol and tobacco products to lower your risk of colorectal cancer.
5. Precancerous polyps tend to have a few different common symptoms. They include blood in the stool, stomach aches, cramping, and sometimes excessive, atypical weight loss.
6. Colorectal cancer will usually start as a polyp and progress over the next few years. This is why screening for cancer is crucial! Detecting polyps prior to the development of cancer can increase survival rates.
7. A diet that is high in fiber and Vitamin D can aid in the prevention of developing colorectal cancer.
To schedule a colorectal cancer screening, call Southwest Diagnostic Center at (214) 345-8300 today!
