How to Know if You Should Get Colorectal Cancer Screening

Regular Colorectal Cancer Screening is an important part of staying healthy, especially as we get older. There are certain signs that you can look for yourself, and tests that can be performed by a doctor. The good news is that colorectal cancer is very curable, if it is caught early. Here are things you can do to prevent and screen for it.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. DO A SELF SCREENING: Check to see if you are in one of the high risk groups listed below. If you belong to any of these groups, you are at greater risk of developing colorectal cancer, than the general population.

2. 
    
   Colorectal Cancer

   DETERMINE GENETIC RISKS: Has a member of your family had colorectal cancer? If you have had Aunts, Uncles, Grandparents, or other blood relatives that have had this disease, you are at a much higher risk of getting it yourself. If you aren't sure, ask your family for health history. If a relative died when you where young, you may not have been aware of the cause. A little detective work can uncover important risk factors that pertain to your health. It is important to ask.

3. 
    

   IDENTIFY RISKY BEHAVIORS: Determine if any of your behaviors are putting you at risk. Diets high in animal fat and red meat have been shown to increase the likelihood of colorectal cancer development. Smoking and Obesity are also huge risk factors, as well as having a sedentary lifestyle.

4. IDENTIFY HEALTH CONDITION RISK FACTORS: Check to see if you have any of these health conditions. They are all risk factors for developing colorectal cancer. They are Diabetes, Informatory conditions such as Crohn's Disease or Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Certain hereditary disorders can be risk factors, but they are more rare and affect a smaller percentage of the population.

5. EXAMINE YOUR AGE RISKS: If you are 50 or older, you should be getting regular colorectal cancer screenings. Every 10 years for people who are healthy and don't have high risk factors.

6. 
    
   Colorectal Cancer

   GET A COLONOSCOPY: If you have any of the high risk factors above, you should be screened on a regular basis, as determined by your doctor. For people with genetic risk factors, screening often begins at as young as 35 and can be as often as every year. For other high risk groups, every 3 - 5 years is appropriate. A colonoscopy, though unpleasant, is the best way to catch pre-cancerous growths and keep you healthy.

[sixstring2slim]

on 7/30/2009 Hi ~D, Well Done! This saves life man... I just received a Hemmoccult Kit last week from the VA! Really non-intrusive paper check kit, works great until you can get a Colonoscopy. 5*starz ~ Carson