Colon Cancer Awareness Month

Colon Cancer Awareness Month | Morris County NJ Early Detection Screening

Progressive Diagnostic Imaging would like everyone to recognize that March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness month. Colon Cancer is the third most common cancer affecting men and woman around the world. One of the more notable and surprising statistics is that over the past ten years, rates in the younger population have increased while rates in the older population have decreased. One reason perhaps behind this statistic is that over the past ten years, the older population has taken the possibility of having colon cancer seriously and has been proactive in getting regular screening tests like full body scans and colonoscopies. This statistic is a message to the younger population to go get screened sooner than later.

Colon cancer, if found in its early stages is very treatable and often curable. Colon cancer usually starts as polyps in the colon. A polyp is a small clump of cells that form on the lining of the colon. Most polyps are harmless but if left untreated over time they turn into cancer. Because this disease grows relatively slowly, preventative screenings regularly can save a patient’s life.

The gold standard for screening is still the colonoscopy. This test is pain free and most discomfort comes the day before with the prep. Prep is a drink to clean the patient out and allows the doctor to get clear images the next day during the colonoscopy. If you do not wish to do the colonoscopy there are other less invasive screenings like the full body scan from Progressive Diagnostic Imaging. This test not only checks for colon cancer but many of the leading killers like aneurysms, vascular and heart disease. You can find the entire list by clicking here  and scheduling your consultation today. Just to give you a positive statistic, catching colorectal cancer in its early stages has a 90% cure rate in people at the 5-year mark. However, if you do not get screened early and are diagnosed with a later stage Colorectal cancer there is only a 20% cure rate at the 5-year mark.

Currently, the main treatments are surgery or chemotherapy but 2021 is bringing new treatments for colorectal cancer that balance treatment with personal smart life choices that include high fiber diet and watching your food intake. These treatments and lifestyle changes help patients eventually get on with their life.

Resources you can turn to if you have a family history or just want to know where you should start to find out information about colorectal cancer and how to treat it, go to cancer.org and look at all the information related to this disease. After that, speak to your primary care doctor. They can answer most questions and refer you to the correct specialist who treats colon cancer. Progressive Diagnostic Imaging is also a resource for you.

Progressive Diagnostic Imaging is a state-of-the-art outpatient imaging center offering the Morris County NJ area open MRI, Ultrasound Imaging, CT Scans, X-rays, and Early Detection Screenings in a warm, friendly, and convenient atmosphere.

Call us today at 973-839-5400 or visit us online at www.pdirad.com and we can answer all your questions about our Early Detection Screening.