Sadly, even with unprecedented movement in the reduction of the occurrence and deaths due to colorectal cancer, there is an increasing gap between the African American and Caucasian population according to the ACS. The statistic is alarming, with the death rates for African Americans being 45% higher.
Screening still remains one of the biggest barriers to the improving of the cure rate. It is a fact that early detection leads to a greater success in treatment and/or a cure. There seems to be a few factors that attribute to the reason why there is a lag in screening being sought out. Of course one of the reasons would be the attitude about colorectal cancer and its screening.
Even I...with an extensive medical background... hate to admit; when I turned 50, I was very hesitant to having a colonoscopy done. I had heard the horror stories about the preparation for the test, which traditionally had been drinking a jug of a solution called “go-lightly”. Most people whom I had talked with said that somewhere about half way through the jug, they felt so nauseated that they felt they just couldn’t drink another drop. I thought to myself, they can open a person’s chest, stop their heart, take out the old heart, put in a new one and stat it up again...but for something like this...they had to almost kill you to do a test. I just was not going to have it done...no way...no how. Then I began to think...perhaps I had not explored all the options and was just going by what other people were telling me. As I found out, there was an alternative and some gastroenterologist (the doctor that will perform the test) are very willing that use an alternate prep which is a lot more “friendly”.
I think it is important to stop accepting these statistics that this disease or that disease has a higher incidence in the African American community...that is the way it is and always has been... and to become proactive in doing something to change the numbers.
Beginning at age 50, both men and women at average risk for developing colorectal cancer should use one of the screening tests below. These tests are designed to detect cancer early and/or polyps
The following is a guideline of test suggested by the ACS. It is always a decision that should be discussed between you and your primary care practitioner as to what is the best testing for your own personal situation.
•flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years*
•colonoscopy every 10 years
•double contrast barium enema every 5 years*
•CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years*
Tests that may detect cancer
•fecal occult blood test (FOBT) every year*,**
•fecal immunochemical test (FIT) every year*,**
•stool DNA test (sDNA), interval uncertain*
*Colonoscopy should be done if test results are positive.
**For FOBT or FIT used as a screening test, the take-home multiple sample method should be used. A FOBT or FIT done during a digital rectal exam in the doctor's office is not adequate for screening.
It may be appropriate to begin screening earlier or more often if the following applies to your
•a personal history of colorectal cancer or adenomatous polyps
•a personal history of chronic inflammatory bowel disease (Crohns disease or
ulcerative colitis)
•a strong family history of colorectal cancer or polyps (cancer or polyps in a first-
degree relative [parent, sibling, or child] younger than 60 or in 2 or more first-
degree relatives of any age)
•a known family history of hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes such as familial
adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC)
Although you might not understand all medical terms in this article...you are now armed with your most valuable weapon, information. Take this to your doctor and discuss it. Talk with your family and loved ones about it. It is only by taking the knowledge and applying action will there be change.
African American DO NOT have to remain the highest incidence of any disease. Beginning to know your body, responding to your body, taking proper care of your body through diet, exercise, stress reduction and following the guidelines for certain age/history appropriate testing will make a difference.
LET'S BEGIN TO CREATE GENERATIONS OF WEATH BY CREATING GENERATIONS OF WELLNESS
Posted By: Belinda Anderson
Sunday, March 8th 2009 at 1:28PM
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