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Important announcement concerning Temple Health and Keystone First. Our provider agreement with Keystone First, is scheduled to end on July 31st. Learn about your options to continue receiving care at Temple Health.
PHILADELPHIA (March 1, 2018) – March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and Fox Chase Cancer Center encourages individuals to get a colorectal cancer screening. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), excluding skin cancers, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in patients in the U.S. and the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Average lifetime risk of developing colorectal cancer is about 1 in 22 for men and 1 in 24 for women.
“Regular screening continues to be the best defense against colorectal cancer. It can detect pre-cancerous growths as well as cancer, which is highly treatable if caught early,” said David Weinberg, MD, chair of medicine and chief of the gastroenterology section at Fox Chase Cancer Center.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force says that patients at average risk should be screened for colorectal cancer starting at age 50, and recommends colonoscopy and fecal immunochemical testing (FIT) as “first-tier” screening tests. It says that the decision to be screened after age 75 should be made on an individual basis, and those at increased risk should talk to their doctor about when to begin screening, which test is right for them, and how often to get tested.
Risk Factors
One’s risk of getting colorectal cancer increases with age. Other uncontrollable risk factors include having:
Several lifestyle factors may contribute to an increased risk of colorectal cancer. According to the ACS, individuals can help lower their risk for colorectal cancer by making certain lifestyle changes. Recommendations include:
“Many individuals with colorectal cancer show no signs in the early stages of the disease,” said Weinberg. “When symptoms do appear, they vary.” Symptoms include:
“I advise everyone to see their doctor right away if they experience any symptoms at all, even if they feel other conditions may be the cause,” said Weinberg.
Fox Chase Cancer Center (Fox Chase), which includes the Institute for Cancer Research and the American Oncologic Hospital and is a part of Temple Health, is one of the leading comprehensive cancer centers in the United States. Founded in 1904 in Philadelphia as one of the nation’s first cancer hospitals, Fox Chase was also among the first institutions to be designated a National Cancer Institute Comprehensive Cancer Center in 1974. Fox Chase is also one of just 10 members of the Alliance of Dedicated Cancer Centers. Fox Chase researchers have won the highest awards in their fields, including two Nobel Prizes. Fox Chase physicians are also routinely recognized in national rankings, and the Center’s nursing program has received the Magnet recognition for excellence six consecutive times. Today, Fox Chase conducts a broad array of nationally competitive basic, translational, and clinical research, with special programs in cancer prevention, detection, survivorship, and community outreach. It is the policy of Fox Chase Cancer Center that there shall be no exclusion from, or participation in, and no one denied the benefits of, the delivery of quality medical care on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity/expression, disability, age, ancestry, color, national origin, physical ability, level of education, or source of payment.
For more information, call 888-369-2427
A grey box that says "Do you need a colonoscopy?" in big bold letters, with a yellow bar at the bottom.