Avoiding Colon Cancer

[Guest guest]

Hi folks:

Just a reminder that, of all types of cancer, colon cancer is second

only to lung cancer in number of deaths in north America.

The vast majority of colon cancer is caused by abnormal, and

initially non-malignant, growths in the colon, called polyps, to

which a minority of the population is susceptible. Eventually, after

a period of years, these growths become malignant, unless they are

removed before that has had a chance to happen.

The advice of cancer societies is that people should be checked by a

procedure called colonoscopy, after age 50. This procedure not only

finds polyps but removes them at the same time, and preserves them

for biopsy.

Five years ago I had a colonoscopy and I have to say that I was VERY

glad that I had had it done.

Last week I had another, and I can report that I am even more glad

this time than I had been the previous time.

Most people will test negative for polyps. But, for those who do

not, having them removed before they become malignant almost

completely eliminates their chances of getting colon cancer.

So my advice is, if you are over 50 years of age and have not yet had

one done, DO IT.

http://www.cancer.gov/images/cdr/live/CDR415500-750.jpg

Rodney.

[Correction, by those possessing better medical knowledge than me, of

any inaccuracies in the above information is very welcome.]