Raising awareness about colorectal cancer
EDWARDSVILLE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — March is known as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.
28/22 News reporter Madonna Mantione explains what you need to know about the second-leading cancer killer in the United States.
Dr. Ali says it’s high definition now.
Dr. Aman Ali is a gastroenterologist at Digestive Care Associates in Edwardsville. He stresses the importance of scheduling a colonoscopy in the prevention and treatment of colon cancer.
“It’s just one day of cleansing, and fasting a little bit, just being on a liquid diet, that’s the hard part. but the actual procedure is ten to fifteen minutes, and that little bit of inconvenience saves your life in some cases,” said Dr, Ali
Current guidelines suggest that average-risk patients should get their first colonoscopy at age 45.
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Dr. Ali says you may need to get screened sooner if colon cancer runs in your family, but it is highly preventable with early detection.
“Saving them from surgery, all the chemo, radiation, all the heartache that comes with it, not only for them but for their family. It is just a no-brainer in my mind to get checked,” says Dr. Ali.
Rates of colon cancer have risen among young adults over the last few decades. It’s one of the reasons why Dr. Ali urges people of all ages to be proactive about their health.
“Patients don’t have to go to big surgery centers such as Hopkins and University of Pennsylvania and such, we can provide those services right here, in town, at ease,” added Dr. Ali.
Former Michigan Wolverines football player Craig Roh died Monday at 33 after battling stage four colon cancer.
To learn more about digestive care associates and the services they offer visit their website.
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