7. Get Checked for Cancer
Colonoscopy, mammograms, and Pap smears save lives.
Cancer kills nearly 15,000 New Yorkers every year. Many of these deaths could be prevented if people at risk were properly screened. Screening has been shown to prevent death from 3 major cancers - colon, breast, and cervical.
Prevent Colon Cancer
Colon cancer can almost always be prevented or cured if detected early.
What to Do To Prevent Colon Cancer
If you're 50 or older, or at high risk, GET A COLONOSCOPY to prevent colon cancer.
- • Everyone 50 and older should get a colonoscopy. More than 90% of colon cancers occur in this age group.
- • Colonoscopy is also recommended for people with a family history of the disease. Most people with colon cancer do not have a family history of the disease. But having a parent or sibling with colon polyps, colon cancer, or (possibly) other cancers puts a person at high risk. People with a family history should be tested before age 50 - talk to your doctor.
Colonoscopy tests for - and can also prevent - colon cancer.
- • Colonoscopy examines the entire colon. It is safe and painless.
- • Colonoscopy detects more than 95% of early colon cancer.
- • If a polyp is found, it can usually be removed painlessly during the test before it develops into cancer.
- • Colonoscopy is usually needed only every 10 years.
- • While not as effective as colonoscopy, there are other tests for colon cancer.
- The Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) is an acceptable alternative to colonoscopy for people who are not at high risk for colon cancer. If the FOBT is positive, it should be followed up with colonoscopy. The FOBT needs to be done every year.
- There are other tests for colon cancer. Any test is much better than none!
Risk factors for colon cancer
In addition to being 50 or older, or having a family history of the disease, the following also raise the risk of colon cancer:
- • Smoking. Smokers are much more likely than non-smokers to die of colon cancer.
- • Having a sedentary lifestyle, being overweight, and eating a high-fat, low-fiber diet.
- • Having an African-American or Eastern European Jewish ancestry.
- • Having ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease.
To reduce your risk:
Additional Information and Tools
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