Colon Cancer Detection/Prevention
Colon cancer is a common cancer in the United States. Many countries where the general population eats a high fiber diet have a much less prevalence of this type of cancer. Thus, prevention for colon cancer primarily involves recommending a high fiber diet. If you would like to decrease your risk of developing this cancer, you should add to your diet foods that have high fiber content, or take a fiber supplement daily such as psillium husks or seeds. You must drink a large amount of water with these too.
Colon cancer detection is first done with the annual exam. After age 40 to 50, tests to determine the presence of blood in the stool and rectal exams help screen for this cancer. If symptoms of rectal bleeding are present, further evaluation is indicated, such as a colonoscopy at any age. Routine colonoscopies are recommended after age fifty when indicated. These are especially indicated if the rectal exam or stool blood tests are positive.
| Colon Cancer Prevention/Detection Recommendations at a Glance | |
|---|---|
| Increase fiber diet | Add high fiber vegetables to diet; possibly daily psillium seed or husks |
| Annual exam | Rectal exams to detect tumors, at least by age 50 |
| Stool blood tests | Stool collected and tested for presence of blood. |
| Colonoscopy | Performed if stool test is positive for blood |
| Barium Enema | May also be performed if stool test is positive for blood |
| Routine Colonoscopy | Performed after age 50 routinely even if no symptoms are present. Repeated every 5 to 10 years or as directed by physician. |
Dr. Robert True is an advocate to improve a woman’s health. This includes annual pelvic exams to help detect colon cancers through digital rectal exams beginning at least over the age of 50. If a patient is very concerned, these can be performed yearly after age 40 as indicated. The early detection and treatment of this cancer is vital to help the woman live longer and with better quality of life. Dr. True has provided these cancer screens for women in the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex area of Texas for over 23 years. Located in Colleyville, his office is centrally located and easy to find. If you would like to set up an appointment, call him at 817-399-8783.