Colon cancer affects thousands of Americans. According to American Cancer Society's statistics, more than 95,000 people were diagnosed with colon cancer in 2016. The best way to avoid colon cancer is by visiting your Anchorage and Eagle River, AK, doctor.
Colon Cancer Screening:
A routine visit to your doctor for a colonoscopy is how most people detect cancer during its earliest stages. Board-certified physicians, Dr. Ronald Boisen, Dr. Daryl McClendon and Dr. Jeffrey Molloy, want their patients to schedule an appointment for a colonoscopy, or a flexible sigmoidoscopy, as soon as possible.
The CDC recommends adults ages 50 to 75 visit their gastroenterologist on a regular basis. Colorectal cancer usually begins as a small polyp in the colon. At first, the polyps aren't cancerous but may develop cancer over time. If you take the proper precautions of screening and keeping an eye out for symptoms, cancer can be treated or prevented.
Colon Cancer Symptoms:
Symptoms aren't always obvious. Here are the symptoms you need to keep an eye out for according to the doctors in Anchorage and Eagle River:
- Bowel Habit Changes: If you are suffering from Colon constipation, or diarrhea, for more than four weeks, that may be a sign of cancer.
- Blood in Your Stool: Hemorrhoids are usually accompanied by blood in stool, but may also be a sign of a more serious condition like cancer.
- Incomplete Evacuation: If there are constant bowel movements, even if you've just had a bowel movement, then you need to contact your doctor.
- Fatigue: Colon cancer results in patients feeling weak and fatigued.
- Weight Loss: Unexplained weight loss.
Scheduling a Colorectal Cancer Screening
If you would like more information on colonoscopies and screening procedures, you can contact the doctors at Alaska Digestive and Liver Disease. If you are in Anchorage and Eagle River, AK, call to schedule an appointment today!