Arbor Health | Arbor Health and Life | Spring 2020

Guidelines for colorectal cancer screening ARBOR HEALTH FOUNDATION 521 Adams Ave. Morton, WA 98356 Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID WallaWalla,WA Permit No. 44 A rise in rates of colorectal cancer among young and middle-aged adults has spurred the American Cancer Society (ACS) to change its guidelines for when people should start screening for the disease. The ACS now recommends that people at average risk for colorectal cancer begin screening at age 45, five years earlier than the previous recom- mendation of 50. People who are at increased risk for the cancer may want to start colorectal cancer screening be- fore age 45 or be screened more often. Why the change? A study led by the ACS found that, over- all, rates of new colorectal cancer cases in the U.S. have been dropping since the mid-1980s. The decline has been even steeper during the past decade—for which the ACS credits screening tests. Some screening tests, such as DEVICE-FREE DINNER Shared meals give families a chance to talk about the experi- ences of the day. Keep meals family-focused! Set all electron- ics aside, and concentrate on the food and each other. American Academy of Pediatrics NEW According to the ACS, the most common signs and symptoms of colorectal cancer include: ●   ● A change in bowel habits— such as diarrhea, constipation or narrowing of the stool—that lasts for more than a few days. ●   ● A feeling like you need to have a bowel movement that isn’t relieved when you do have one. ●   ● Rectal bleeding. ●   ● Dark stools or blood in the stool. ●   ● Cramping or abdominal pain. ●   ● Weakness and fatigue. ●   ● Weight loss for no known reason. TALK TO YOUR PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER about colorectal cancer screening. If he or she recommends a colonos- copy, ask for a referral to Tom Anderson, MD, in our Specialty Clinic at 360-496-3641 . Common signs and symptoms colonoscopies, can find and remove suspicious growths before they have a chance to become cancer. However, the decline in rates of newly diagnosed cases of colorectal cancer has been led by older adults. Incidence rates have actually been ris- ing for adults younger than 50. The ACS study also found that people younger than 55 are more likely than older people to be diagnosed with late- stage colorectal cancer. The study’s au- thors theorized that younger people are delaying diagnosis because they don’t recognize symptoms of the disease. There are multiple screening tests available for colorectal cancer, includ- ing noninvasive stool tests. The new guidelines from the ACS don’t endorse a particular test, but they do stress reg- ular screening and they recommend a follow-up with a colonoscopy if the results from another test are suspicious. ARBOR HEALTH AND LIFE is brought to you by Arbor Health Foundation as a community service for the friends and patrons of ARBOR HEALTH, P.O. Box 1138, Morton, WA 98356, telephone 360-496-5112. Information in ARBOR HEALTH AND LIFE comes from a wide range of medical experts. If you have any concerns or questions about specific content that may affect your health, please contact your health care provider. Models may be used in photos and illustrations. 2020 © Coffey Communications, Inc. All rights reserved.