March is national colorectal cancer awareness month, and staff at John B. Amos Cancer Center at Piedmont Columbus Regional hope to educate people in the community about the importance of regular colorectal cancer screenings, especially for individuals at high risk.

There are many risk factors associated with the development of colorectal cancer – some of which can be controlled and others that cannot. Controllable risks include:

• Lack of regular physical activity

• Overweight and obesity

• Red and processed meat consumption (including smoked and cured meat like bacon)

• Low fruit and vegetable intake

• A low-fiber and high-fat diet

• Alcohol consumption

• Tobacco use

While uncontrollable risk factors include:

• Advanced age—more than 90 percent of cases occur in people aged 50+

• Inflammatory bowel disease

• Personal or family history of colorectal cancer or colorectal polyps

• Certain hereditary syndromes

“Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in both men and women in the U.S.,” Michael Nwogbo, Oncology Outreach Coordinator at John B. Amos Cancer Center said.  “A colonoscopy is the best screening test available for colorectal cancer, and many of these cancers can be prevented through regular screenings.”

Both men and women should have a colonoscopy starting at age 50, however, people at increased risk of colorectal cancer may start earlier. The goal of screening for colorectal cancer is the detection and removal of adenomatous polyps, which can decrease the incidence of colorectal cancer, and the diagnosis of early-stage cancers. Furthermore, being screened at the recommended frequency improves the chance that colorectal cancer will be detected at an earlier stage, when it is more likely to be cured by surgery alone, which is less extensive and has a significantly faster recovery rate.

“A screening colonoscopy is an easier procedure than many realize,” Nwogbo said.  A colonoscopy is a procedure that allows for examination of inside the colon, helping doctors to identify precancerous polyps, which are abnormal growths in the colon or rectum. Any polyps or abnormal tissues found during a colonoscopy can be removed and sent to a laboratory for testing.

“Early stages of colorectal cancer usually present no symptoms,” Nwogbo said. “This is why screening is crucial because when found early, colorectal cancer is highly treatable.”

For more information on colon cancer and preventative screenings, visit piedmont.org