Facts About Colon Cancer
Few cancers are as easily preventable as colon cancer. Colon cancer is the number two cause of cancer deaths in America and kills more people each year than AIDS and breast cancer combined. Removing precancerous lesions, called polyps, from the colon prevents the development of colon cancer. Even if colon cancer has already developed, finding it and treating it before symptoms are present result in a greater than 90% treatment success.
Detection of colon cancer or pre-cancerous polyps is achieved through screening techniques such as, colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, barium enema, or virtual colonoscopy. Only 1 in 3 colon cancers are currently being diagnosed at an early treatable stage. Regrettably, Kentucky ranks among one of the worst in the United States for applying known standards for colon cancer prevention.
The Colon Cancer Prevention Project wants to forever change this trend and promote prevention and early detection throughout the state of Kentucky.
Colon Cancer is the #2 killer in the United States.
Kills more people each year in the U.S. than AIDS and breast cancer combined.
WITHOUT SYMPTOMS, THAT IS WHY SCREENING IS SO IMPORTANT.Without proper screening, 1 in 17 people will get colon cancer in their lifetime.
A family history of colon polyps or colon cancer increases your risk by 2-4 fold.
Does not discriminate between men and women or races. Almost 75% of all new cases of colon cancer occur in people with no symptoms or no family history.
Affects more than 13,000 people under the age of 50 years old each year.
CANCER TAKES 5 TO 15 YEARS TO DEVELOP FROM POLYPS. POLYPS ARE GROWTHS FOUND WITHIN THE COLON. SCREENING TESTS ARE DESIGNED TO DETECT AND REMOVE POLYPS BEFORE CANCER DEVELOPS.
Has a 90% treatable rate when detected early before symptoms develop. Regular screening for colon cancer should begin at age 50 unless you are high risk, in which case screening should begin earlier.
Risk factors associated with colon cancer include family history of colon cancer, diet low in vegetables, excessive alcohol use, tobacco use, obesity, and sedentary "inactive" lifestyle.