March is colon cancer awareness month. At my gastroenterology practice each year we take this opportunity to help promote local events and spread the awareness message that following the colon cancer screening guidelines is the best way to avoid this cancer.

Did you know that according to the American Cancer Society that 1 out of every 20 people will be affected by colon cancer? To learn about screening guidelines and a few tips on how to avoid this cancer, please visit my colon cancer webpage.

Colon Cancer Home Tests vs Colonoscopy

With the key to prevention being that everyone needs to get screened, I wanted to provide an overview of 2 popular screening options Cologuard and Colonoscopy. Please discuss with your doctor as to which screening option is best for you.

Cologuard is an at-home, do it yourself stool collection exam. It allows you to mail in your specimen to a laboratory from the privacy of your own home. Cologuard is designed for those considered average risk for colon cancer.

Cologuard Pros:

  • Non-invasive
  • No bowel prep
  • Convenient

Cologuard Cons:

  • Required every 3 years
  • Misses 8% of colorectal cancers and 60% of advanced polyps
  • If the test is positive, patient will need to schedule a colonoscopy

Colonoscopy is considered the gold standard colon cancer screening method, since it is the only exam that allows for both detection and removal of all cancerous and precancerous polyps.

Colonoscopy Pros:

  • Required every 10 years
  • Provides your doctor complete visualization of your colon
  • Polyps or abnormal growths can be removed during exam

Colonoscopy Cons:

  • Bowel prep required
  • Sedated procedure
  • Limited activities day of colonoscopy

Cancer Screening Recommendation

I am a fan of anything that can increase colon cancer prevention and detection in San Antonio. In the United States, about 20 million adults over age 50 do not get tested for colon cancer each year. I still see way too much colon cancer that could have been prevented.

I do recommend colonoscopy to my patients as the preferred screening exam as I trust the results much more. But whichever screening method you choose – Colonoscopy, Cologuard or other methods, don’t let the polyp or cancer go undetected. Please don’t let yourself become a statistic with something as preventable as colon cancer.

Colon Cancer Awareness Month Events San Antonio 2020

Whether you have a personal connection to colon cancer or just want to help raise awareness… the San Antonio area has some great events that you can participate in. I’ve provided basic information on each event below along with a link to the event website. Also, I will update event information and/or add new events to this page as they are announced.

Get Your Rear in Gear 5k Run/Walk & Kids’ Fun Run

  • Date: Sunday, March 1, 2020
  • Location: Morgan’s Wonderland – 5223 David Edwards Dr, San Antonio, TX 78233
  • Event Info: click here

National Dress Blue Day

  • Date: Friday, March 6, 2020
  • Event Info: click here
  • Great opportunity to increase awareness!

Colorectal Cancer Alliance Undy Run/Walk

*All 2020 events have not been published. Check back using the link above for this run/walk event in multiple Texas cities.