4 Highroads Living - Volume 11 • Issue 2
45 or Older?
HighroadsLiving.com
YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS THIS
Screening is the number one way you can prevent colon cancer and rectal cancer.
COLORECTAL CANCER – #2 CAUSE OF CANCER DEATHS IN US
Recent research has shown a trend of higher incidence and mortality of colorectal cancer in younger adults. As a result, screening is now recommended to begin at age 45 instead of 50, and earlier if your family has a history of this disease, says the US Preventive Services Task Force.
“The majority of colorectal cancers develop from polyps,” says Dr. Michael Nerney, Erlanger Western Carolina’s (EWCH’s) boardcertified general surgeon. “Identifying polyps at an early stage is key, when a simple outpatient colonoscopy could reveal them and allow for their removal – ideally before the development of colorectal cancer, and, ultimately, death.”
