Central Peninsula Hospital | Pulse | Spring/Summer 2020

Make this happen now Why this screening should be on your must-do list The American Cancer Society recommends that most people get screened for colorectal cancer starting at age 45 . You may need to start earlier if you’re at high risk for the disease. The single most important thing to remember about colorectal cancer? These two vitally important words: Get screened. Colorectal cancer screening tests and exams help your doctor detect the disease at an early stage, before it has had a chance to spread. That’s typically when treatments for colorectal cancer are most likely to succeed. Better yet, screening can even help pre- vent colorectal cancer. One type of test lets doctors find and remove intestinal growths, called polyps, which can become cancerous. Thanks in part to screening, colon cancer death rates have been declining, although the disease is still a leading cause of U.S. cancer deaths. That’s why everyone needs to be screened, as recommended. Make an appointment today! Call Central Peninsula Surgical Associates at 907-714-4130 . For more information about the physicians, services provided or how to prepare for your appointment, go to www.cpgh.org/surgicalassociates . Gregory Hough, MD David King, MD Jason Lattin, MD Screening options Different colorectal cancer screening tests are available, including: Take-home stool tests. You return these to a lab or your doctor’s office. Flexible sigmoidoscopy. This uses a lighted viewing scope to check part of the colon. Virtual colonoscopy. This is a computed tomography (CT) scan of the colon and rectum. Colonoscopy. This is the most complete test because it checks the en- tire colon and rectum for polyps and cancer. And if you decide to have one of the other screening tests and you get an abnormal result, you will need a colonoscopy next. Pick one and get it done There are pros and cons to each of the screening tests for colorectal cancer. You can discuss those with your primary care provider. Choose a test that works for you. The most important thing to remember: Any test is better than no test. Source: American Cancer Society PULSE Spring/Summer 2020 3