Have you had a conversation with your primary care provider about getting screened for colorectal cancer? Now is the ideal time to check this vital item off your healthcare to-do list, since March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.
Unfortunately, 107,320 people are expected to be diagnosed with colon cancer and 46,950 with rectal cancer in 2025, according to the American Cancer Society. The hopeful news is that more and more people are surviving colorectal cancer — there are now more than 1.1 million in the United States — thanks in large part to lifesaving screenings and increased awareness. In 2021, the US Preventive Services Task Force lowered the age for a person’s first colonoscopy from 50 to 45 because we have seen a concerning uptick in colorectal cancer in middle aged people.
There is an association between colorectal cancer and obesity, so if you struggle with your weight, talk to your doctor about what you can do to get within a normal weight range and maintain a healthy weight. A nutritious diet and physical exercise are the cornerstones of both weight loss and an overall healthy life.
Type 2 diabetes is also linked to a higher incidence of colorectal cancer, and researchers think that high insulin levels may be part of the reason. This is why keeping it well managed is important, and can lower your risk.
If you want to lower your risk for colorectal cancer specifically, focus on eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes like beans, and staying well hydrated. Eating dairy foods may also help prevent colorectal cancer. Foods to avoid include red and processed meats, sweets, and heavily processed food.
Reducing your colorectal cancer risk is yet another reason to keep moving. Incorporating exercise into your schedule most days is key — at least 30 minutes per day, five days a week.
Knowing what not to do is equally important to enjoying healthy food and exercise when it comes to reducing your risk for colorectal cancer. This means drinking alcohol in moderation or not at all and avoiding tobacco.
Changing your lifestyle is a powerful anti-cancer weapon, but it’s also crucial to discuss your personal and family health history with your doctor. If a close family member was diagnosed with colorectal cancer or you were, or if you have a history of polyps, you will need to be monitored more closely. Speaking to your doctor about your risk is a proactive approach to combating it and will guide their recommendations about how often you should be screened and which screening method to choose.
Stool-based tests exist to screen for colorectal cancer, along with flexible sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy, which are visual tests for colorectal cancer. The latter two are minimally invasive procedures that requires bowel prep, or drinking a solution that initiates complete emptying of the bowel. This is important, because the surgeon performing the procedure can see clearly as they look for polyps (small growths that are often benign but can become cancerous).
Since flexible sigmoidoscopy only allows the surgeon to see less than half of the rectum and colon, colonoscopy is often preferred, since the surgeon can examine the entire colon.
A colonoscopy isn’t a lengthy procedure, but is revolutionary because it’s both a screening tool and, if necessary, a treatment, because if your surgeon discovers a polyp, they can remove it during the procedure.
If you are due for a colorectal cancer screening, please don’t put it off. It’s a potentially lifesaving procedure, since colorectal cancer is easier to treat, and patients have better outcomes the earlier it is found.
We’re grateful to have Dr. Peter Bechtel as our trusted General Surgeon here at Blue Ridge Regional Hospital, who performs colonoscopies and a wide range of procedures. To schedule an appointment with him, you may call 828-766-2954.
At HCA Healthcare’s Blue Ridge Regional Hospital, we believe excellent people make excellence happen. Our colleagues make a positive difference every day across our hospitals and our communities. Every department matters and every colleague plays a role in delivering healthcare to our patients. Each day, we have an opportunity to make a positive impact, whether it’s directly caring for one of our patients, helping a fellow colleague, or working to bring the latest technology and treatments to our patients. You can count on Blue Ridge Regional Hospital to provide extraordinary care right in our community. We are committed to delivering elevated, compassionate care for all of your healthcare needs.
Tonia W. Hale, DNP, MAOM, BSN, RN, is Chief Executive Officer and Chief Nursing Officer of Blue Ridge Regional Hospital in Spruce Pine. Hale is a proven leader with more than 37 years of progressive healthcare experience. A native of East Tennessee, she holds an associate’s degree in nursing from Walters State Community College, a baccalaureate degree in nursing from the University of Tennessee, a master’s degree in organizational management from Tusculum University, and a doctor of nursing practice degree in executive leadership from East Tennessee State University. Ms. Hale is currently a resident of Burnsville.
