With March being colon cancer awareness month, I wanted to share some important information regarding prevention along with some specific awareness events that are occurring in the San Antonio area in 2016 to help promote colon cancer awareness for our community.

Colon Cancer Facts

  • It is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death.
  • The lifetime risk of being diagnosed with colorectal cancer is about one in 19.
  • While most people diagnosed with colon cancer have no family history of the disease, those with a family history of the disease should begin screening at an earlier age.
  • With early screening and testing, colon cancer is Preventable, Treatable & Beatable!

Reference: American Cancer Society

2016 Colon Cancer Awareness Events in San Antonio, TX

  • National Dress Blue Day
    • Date: March 4, 2016
    • Event Info: https://bit.ly/1XCp5O6
  • Colon Cancer Coalition 5k Run/Walk
    • Event Info – https://bit.ly/1SWVMH9
    • Date: April 2, 2016
    • Location: Wheatly Heights Sports Complex
  • Undy Run/Walk – no event currently schedule for San Antonio, TX. However, if interested you can contact the Colon Cancer Alliance regarding scheduling an event in San Antonio, TX in 2016 or 2017.
    • Event Info: https://bit.ly/1ot410a

What is Colon Cancer screening?

Colon cancer is one of the most preventable and treatable forms of cancer when it’s found early. Screening allows a gastroenterologist the ability to view your colon and check for signs of colon cancer. Detecting colon cancer in its early stages before it has time to grow and develop is the key to beating this deadly disease.

Colonoscopy – the gold standard!

Colonoscopy is a safe and painless procedure we use to detect and remove colon polyps before they become colon cancer. It’s considered the gold standard for colon cancer screening exams, since colonoscopy can both screen for polyps and remove them. Other colon cancer screening methods only detect the polyps, but do not remove them. Also, colonoscopy can be used to detect and guide treatment for colon cancer once it has already developed. Please don’t let concerns about the bowel prep or what’s involved with the procedure stop you from having this potentially life-saving screening test. If you have concerns or questions about a colonoscopy, please either click here for additional information or speak with your physician.

Colonoscopy Prep Tips

I will agree with most everyone that has been through a colonoscopy when they say the prep is worse than the exam itself. The day before you’re on a liquid diet so you’re hungry, then you drink the prep that evening and you’re having diarrhea for several hours. Wish I could make it sound better but I’m not much for sugar coating things. It is what it is. However, you only have to take it once every few years depending on how frequently you need your colonoscopy and there are things you can do to make it a better experience:

  • The day before your exam drink lots of fluids (juice, broth, Jell-O, water) which helps flush you out and keeps you from being so hungry
  • Put the bowel prep in the fridge to make it cool, but not too cold. Cool taste better but too cold and by the time you finish you will be shivering
  • Put some flavoring in the bowel prep like Crystal Lite
  • Use baby wipes on your bottom, it will thank you for that later
  • While drinking the prep keep reminding yourself why you’re doing this- to give yourself the best chance you can to prevent this disease