Video: Colon Cancer Myths Dispelled!(ome individuals with certain gastrointes...),Health

Myth: Once you are diagnosed with colon cancer, it is too late to do anything about it

Colon cancer is a preventable and highly treatable cancer when caught at an early stage. People who are diagnosed at early stages have over a 90 percent chance of a cure and surviving. In contrast, people that have advanced stages of colorectal cancer have a lower chance of a cure; less than 10 percent will be alive in five years after the diagnosis. Therefore, it makes good sense to get screened for colorectal cancer.

Myth: You don't need to get screened for colon cancer if there is no family history of colon cancer

Most people with colorectal cancer do not have a family member with the disease. Only 10 to 20 percent of people that have colorectal cancer have a family member with colorectal cancer. You can still get colon cancer even if no one in your family has ever had it. The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy recommends having your first colonoscopy screening starting at age 50 and repeating every 10 years. If you have a family history of colorectal cancer, you might need to start screening before age 50. Consult your doctor about the colorectal cancer screening option that is best for you, it may save your life.

To watch an informational video with an ASGE physician dispelling these myths, log on to the ASGE's colon cancer awareness web site http://www.screen4coloncancer.org. Here you can also find disease facts, information on screening options, fun interactive elements such as a birthday e-Card reminding those 50 and over to get screened for colon cancer, and where to find a qualified physician in
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