HealthyPlusFeb15spreads - Flipbook - Page 15
Just the Facts
Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S.
1 in 23 men and 1 in 25 women will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer.
Colorectal cancer is preventable with screening.
60% of colorectal cancer deaths could be prevented
with screening.
Colon cancer affects men and women equally.
Vermont’s colorectal screening rate is 71.8%; we rank
15th in the nation for the number of people screened.
Why is a colonoscopy so important?
Make sure you’re there
for life’s big moments
Schedule a screening today
T
he list of things we look forward
to in life is long—weddings,
graduations, retirement,
grandchildren, and on, and on. But getting
to experience all the things we look
forward to requires doing something no
one looks forward to: a colonoscopy.
Before you say “not me,” consider this:
More than 53,000 people are expected to
die of colon cancer this year. Half of those
people who die of colon cancer could have
been spared if only they received their
colonoscopy at age 45.
So, if you want to be there for life’s big
moments, take the small step of scheduling
a colonoscopy.
12 | HEALTHY+ | WINTER/SPRING 2022
Are you above average?
If you check any of the boxes below, you are
considered above average risk for colon cancer
and should speak to your doctor about your
screening schedule:
A personal history of colorectal cancer or certain
types of polyps
A family history of colorectal cancer
A personal history of inflammatory bowel disease
(ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease)
A confirmed or suspected hereditary colorectal
cancer syndrome, such as familial adenomatous
polyposis (FAP) or Lynch syndrome (hereditary
non-polyposis colon cancer or HNPCC)
A personal history of getting radiation to the
abdomen (belly) or pelvic area to treat a prior cancer
Colorectal cancer usually has no symptoms,
making it tricky to diagnose. Colonoscopies
allow doctors to detect and remove precancerous
growths as well as detect cancer at an early stage,
when treatment is usually less intensive and
successful. The earlier a cancer is detected, the
greater the chance of survival.
Tanya Cowder, director of Perioperative and
Interventional Services at Southwestern Vermont
Medical Center says, “From start to finish, you’ll
be with us for about two hours. The procedure
itself usually takes less than an hour. Patients are
often surprised by how easy the entire experience
is and are comforted by our staff, who take the
time to explain the procedure, answer questions,
and provide comfort, sometimes in the form of a
warm blanket or simply staying by the patient’s
side. At the end, you’re provided with discharge
instructions, including pictures of your colon and
any findings. About a week later you receive a
letter noting if you had any polyps removed, what
type they were, and recommendations for when
your next colon screening should be.”
When should you have a colonoscopy?
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force
recommends that men and women of average risk
for colorectal cancer begin screening starting at
age 45. If your colonoscopy doesn't find any signs
of cancer, you should have the exam again in 10
years. However, if you are above average risk (see
box), or you're between 76 and 85, talk to your
doctor about how often you should be screened.
Why you shouldn’t wait
Roughly one in 100 people are destined to get
colorectal cancer in their lifetime even with no
family history. To be sure colorectal cancer doesn't
keep you from being there for all of life's big
moments, talk to your doctor about scheduling
a screening. +
Praise from colonoscopy patients at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center:
“I was treated like
I was at a spa. The
entire experience was
excellent.”
“I was treated
with respect. The staff
took great care to make
sure I was informed,
comfortable, and well
cared for.”
“Very comfortable
experience.”
“Great experience…
considering it was a
colonoscopy. Thanks to
everyone!”
SVHEALTHCARE .ORG | HEALTHY+ | 13
