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Doctor: Early screenings can prevent common cancer
Publication Date:3/11/2009 9:18:00 AM
George Franklin, a former NFL running back for the Atlanta Falcons, is a long-haul truck driver living in northwest Houston. Though doctors encourage people to begin getting colonoscopy screenings at age 50, Franklin chose not to do so.
"You know, I had that macho way of thinking — I´m not going to the doctor," Franklin said.
It wasn´t until last year, at age 54, that Franklin noticed blood in his stool.
"I thought it might have been from an ulcer, eating spicy food or taking too much ibuprofen," he said.
Franklin told his wife and went to see his doctor. Due to back pain he had been experiencing, Franklin was given a full physical.
It turns out Franklin had developed polyps, small growths in the colon that are precursors to colon cancer, and since it was caught early, Colon & Rectal Clinic of Houston surgeon Mark Pidala, M.D. was able to remove them.
Colon cancer occurs in the large intestine (colon and rectum), and according to the American Cancer Society, colon cancer is the second-leading cancer-related death among men and women.
"Typically, it´s a disease affecting people over 50; only 10 percent of people are diagnosed younger than 50," Pidala said. "Colon cancer is preventable, which is why we try to target patients and screen them with colonoscopies once they turn 50."
Pidala said some risk factors for developing colon cancer are age, family history and race.
"Data suggests that African-Americans have a higher incidence of colon cancer than Caucasians and when they get diagnosed, it´s often at a later stage," Pidala said. "African-Americans are at a higher risk and should definitely be screened."
Pidala said people with colon cancer often have no symptoms, but symptoms that may occur are bleeding, change in bowel habits, abdominal cramping and constipation.
"Many times, people will attribute bleeding to hemorrhoids, but it´s important to get checked. Any type of bleeding should be evaluated by a physician."
The screening method for colon cancer used is a colonoscopy, a procedure where a camera instrument is used to guide doctors through the colon to look for polyps. The polyps can be removed (by burning) during a colonoscopy as well.
Pidala said colon cancer is curable, with more than 90 percent cure rate when caught in its early stages.
"A patient is required to take a laxative the day before and they are sedated for the procedure," Pidala said. "The procedure is quick (about 20 to 30 minutes), painless and the patient can go home the same day. There´s really not a good excuse not to get one."
For Franklin, he admitted the lifestyle of a trucker eventually caught up with him. Now, he´s the biggest cheerleader for getting screenings.
"I tell all my co-drivers out here to get screened at 47," he said jokingly. "Many are out of shape, overweight, eating junk food and have sleep apnea. It´s bound to catch up with you eventually. We don´t realize that we´re getting older. I don´t feel like I´m 54. It sneaks up on you."
by Valerie Jones- HCN - The Sun/Champions
