March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and affords us at DASHA® the opportunity to remind our community that practicing preventive healthcare is one of the number one things you can do to take care of yourself and be present and healthy for your family and loved ones. Every year, approximately 140,000 Americans are diagnosed with colorectal cancer, and more than 50,000 people die from it. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of death from cancer in the United States among men and women combined and yet, it is one of the most curable cancers.
Beginning at age 50, or earlier if you have a family history, you should make a plan for regularly scheduled colonoscopies (every 10 years), flexible sigmoidoscopy, double-contrast barium enema or computed tomographic colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years, or a fecal occult blood test or fecal immunochemical test every year. Colorectal cancer screenings help to find precancerous polyps that can be removed before they turn into cancer as well as find colorectal cancer itself at an early stage, when treatment often leads to a cure.
To prevent colorectal cancers, regular screenings should be combined with a regimen of intense physical activity, and you should avoid obesity and weight gain around your midsection, as well as smoking and excessive alcohol intake. Because precancerous polyps and colorectal cancer don’t always cause symptoms, especially at first, screenings are particularly important. Symptoms may include blood in or on the stool (bowel movement), stomach pain, aches or cramps that do not go away, or an unexplained loss of weight. Many insurance plans and Medicare help pay for colorectal screening, and you can check with your plan to find out which tests are covered for you.
Life consists of things that are under your control and things that are not. Screening tests fall under your control. If you make the time for your health now, you can avoid the time, money and life it may cost you later.
Click HERE to learn more about the CDC’s recommendations on colorectal cancer prevention and control.
DASHA® is a luxury lifestyle brand and New York City-based wellness center created to offer a truly holistic approach to wellness. To learn more, visit dashawellness.com.
