Colon Cancer 

Cancer. The word comes from the Greek word meaning crab. This describes both the irregular shape and the tenacity of harmful unwanted growths in our body. Throughout any given day there crops up wild type cells in the body. Areas of chronic inflammation or irritation are the most susceptible. Routinely, there are cells in our body grouped together as "white cells" that are in charge of eliminating these wild type cells. Usually, these white cells are quite successful. However, time and recurrent injury can take their toll. Cancer is a sign that the body’s immune system is no longer able to respond effectively to some of these wild type cells. In fact, cancer is the cause of one in four deaths in the United States. Some of this cancer is preventable. Some of this cancer can be truly cured. Some of this cancer can be treated to slow down its progress and allow years of life that is worth living.

Recently, I was invited by Anne Howes, R.N. to attend a meeting at the Frederick County Health Department. The State of Maryland has been awarded money from the "Tobacco Settlement" to screen for cancers for early treatment. A major area of focus is colorectal cancer, cancer of the bowels. While men are the most likely to suffer from colon cancers, men are the least like to get screened for these cancers. Men, take courage and get checked!

Some alarms should go off if:

1. There is a history of other family members having polyps and lots of them. (Polyposis - the condition of having polyps),
2. Chronic inflamed bowels situations (Colitis - inflamation of the bowels),
3. Close family member had bowel cancer (heredity)
4. You have already had another kind of cancer in the body (immune system weakness allowing cancers), this includes breast and ovarian cancer.

What to look for:

1. Change in bowel habits ( previously always constipated, now going every day, or previously regular, now constipated),
2. Change in stool consistency (more firm, more fluffy, more body, thinner, chromic diarrhea)
3. Blood in stool.

While there are many ways of checking for colon cancer: yearly exam of three stool samples; sigmoidoscopy, barium enema x-ray evaluation, colonoscopy.. Talk to you physician for the method best suited to you. There is a special opportunity to obtain colonoscopic evaluation of the bowels for the uninsured and under-insured of Frederick County. Those without insurance know who you are. Those who are under-insured may not know you qualify. A high deductable or prohibitive co-pay may qualify one for the funded colonoscopy. Do not be afraid to make a phone call to find out. The Frederick County Community Cancer Coalition can assist qualified folks between the ages of 50 and 64 to receive colonoscopic evaluation of their bowels.

Happily, many women have inquired and have received services. Very few men have presented themselves for this opportunity. Men, be brave, have the courage to find out. Call, or have a loved one call on your behalf to 301-631-3362. Just think of how many good nights of sleep you will get knowing that you have been evaluated and if you need care, you will be directed to treatment. Caught early, colon cancer can be truly surgically cured. Left alone, colon cancer can be lethal. Put the odds in your favor. Talk to your physician.