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Primary Care
Associates, P.C. AnMed Health Campus 2000 East Greenville Street Suite 1600 Anderson, South Carolina 29621 Telephone: 864.226.9193 |
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SCREENING FOR COLON CANCER Colon cancer wasn't something people talked about very much. Until "Today" show host Katie Couric had a colonoscopy performed on herself on live TV last year. Couric's procedure, done to raise awareness about the disease that killed her husband, is the best tool for preventing colon cancer, according to Dr. Duane Henk with Primary Care Associates of Anderson. Dr. Henk is trained in endoscopy, which means he can perform colonoscopy exams. In colonoscopy, a slender, flexible lighted tube is inserted in the rectum of the sedated patient. It is connected to a video camera and monitor so the doctor can see the entire lining of the colon. If any suspicious growths, called polyps, are found, they can be removed during the colonoscopy and sent for biopsy. The test is done as an outpatient procedure and the patient usually remembers little or nothing after it is over. For people with average risk for colon cancer, a screening colonoscopy is recommended at age 50 and every 10 years after that, Dr. Henk said. However, not all insurance covers this procedure, and there are alternatives for detecting colon cancer that are less expensive, though not as effective. Everyone should have a laboratory test to detect blood in the stool once a year beginning at age 50.This can be combined with a flexible sigmoidoscopy exam every five years. The flexible sigmoidoscopy is like the colonoscopy but it only examines the lower portion of the colon, Dr. Henk said. Unfortunately, half of all cancers are in the upper colon and will be missed by this exam. Another screening test, the barium enema with air contrast, involves X-rays of the colon, but it can miss small polyps. Dr. Henk said that starting in July, Medicare will cover the cost of a screening colonoscopy for its patients. Colon cancer exams should start earlier than age 50 in people with strong family histories of the disease and personal histories of some other colon diseases. Each patient should discuss risk factors with their personal physician and decide on a screening schedule. The good news about colon cancer is you can greatly reduce your risk of getting it by making some lifestyle changes, Dr. Henk said. These include eating a diet high in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and fiber and low in fat. Broccoli, cauliflower and brussels sprouts are especially beneficial. Getting plenty of exercise and not smoking also have a significant impact on colon cancer. "Colon cancer is the second most common cause of death from cancer," Dr. Henk said. "Fortunately, it's about 90 percent preventable." For more information on colon cancer and other health problems, call the Partners Nursewise Line. The number is 261-2001 in Anderson County or 1-888-525-1333 in Oconee, Pickens or Hart counties. Good, credible information on this topic is accessible on the Internet at the Partners for a Healthy Community web site, www.healthy-community.org. Click "Health questions?" on the home page. |
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