Screen My Colon

Did your grandparents have colon cancer? Have any of your relatives ever had polyps?

Knowing the answers to questions like these could tell you if you are at an increased risk for colon cancer. Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer related death in the U.S.

Take the time to learn your health history by filling out a family health tree (pdf). You may need to tell your doctor to "Screen my colon!" (TM) earlier than you thought.


Source: CCA: Screen My Colon

Beating Bowel Cancer

Bowel cancer affects 1 in 18 people and kills 50 people every single day. But with early diagnosis it can be beaten. Check out Louise's story of how she beat bowel cancer and help us spread the word.

No Excuses

According to the CDC, of cancers affecting both men and women, colorectal cancer (cancer of the colon and rectum) is the second leading cancer killer in the United States. In the United States in 2008, 142,950 people were diagnosed with colorectal cancer, and 52,857 people died from it.

Don't keep trying to find an excuse to put it off any longer. If you're 50 years of age or older, you should be screened for colorectal cancer.


Source: CDC: Colorectal (colon) Cancer

Generation Rx

They're prescription drugs, so they have to be safe right? Dr. Megan Thompson, along with students from the UNM College of Pharmacy, are heading to schools and across Albuquerque and other parts of New Mexico to warn young people of the dangers of prescription drug misuse and abuse.


UNM College of Pharmacy Teaches Generation Rx from UNM Health Sciences Center on Vimeo.

March Is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

Among cancers that affect both men and women, colorectal cancer — cancer of the colon or rectum — is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. Colorectal cancer also is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in America.

Approximately 140,000 new cases of colorectal cancer are diagnosed every year and another 56,000 people die annually of this disease. But colorectal cancer is a disease that can be prevented and cured if detected and treated early.

The risk of developing colorectal cancer increases with advancing age. More than 90% of cases occur in people aged 50 or older.

According to the CDC -

It is estimated that as many as 60% of colorectal cancer deaths could be prevented if all men and women aged 50 years or older were screened routinely. In most cases, colorectal cancer develops from precancerous polyps (abnormal growths) in the colon or rectum. Screening tests can find precancerous polyps, so that they can be removed before they turn into cancer. Screening tests also can find colorectal cancer early, when treatment works best.

So, in recognition of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month ask yourself - is it worth the risk of getting cancer when it's only a minor inconvenience to undergo a colonoscopy? Don't put it off any longer. Avoid the unnecessary heartbreak of a colon cancer diagnosis and schedule your screening today.