March is colon cancer awareness month, with a focus on regular screenings to help with early detection. (Freepik)

By Jordan Davidson

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Regular testing & early detection key in colon cancer battles

Mar 22, 2023 | 4:16 PM

NANAIMO — March is national colon cancer awareness month and doctors want to make sure you have your rear end covered.

Colon and rectal cancer is now the second highest cause of cancer deaths in Canada, to only lung cancer, with one in six B.C. residents facing a diagnosis sometime in their life.

Dr. Jennifer Telford, medical director for the B.C. colon screening program, said regular screenings should start at 50, regardless if you have symptoms or not.

“I think people in their early 50’s perhaps they’re feeling quite healthy and they don’t have any symptoms, and it might not be on their mind to undertake these medical tests, but it is very important that people do undergo screening when they are feeling healthy.”

She said detecting colon cancer in its early stages allows for a high chance of curative therapy.

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Tests, like the faecal immunochemical test (FIT), are available at labs throughout the province and are covered by the medical services plan, according to Telford.

“They can go to the lab with their requisition from their health care provider and the lab will give them the kit. They take it home, and it involves taking a small sample of stool and putting it in the container, and then returning it to the lab.”

The lab will then analyse the sample for any blood too small for the human eye to see.

If there is no blood, they can wait two more years before doing any other FIT test.

“And if it is abnormal, meaning there was some hidden blood detected in the stool, then the colon screening program will help organize and colonoscopy for that individual locally within their community.”

Dr. Telford said the risk of developing colon or rectal cancers increases with age, and while it’s still slightly more common in men, all genders are at risk.

“Individuals who have a family history of colon or rectal cancer may be at higher risk. And then if their relative was diagnosed young, so less than 60 but particularly if they were diagnosed less than 50, then they may be at increased risk.”

She said if your parent, sibling, or any other first-degree relative is diagnosed with colon or rectal cancer, it’s important to start getting screenings ten years prior to their diagnosis, meaning if they were diagnosed at 44, you should start screenings at 34.

“Blood in the stool is never normal, if they have persistent changes in their bowel habits, or persistent abdominal pain, those are all reasons to seek a session with your health care provider, regardless of your age. Although the majority of colon cancers occur after age 50, cancer can affect, unfortunately, any age.”

— with files from Jon de Roo, 97.3 The Eagle.

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On Twitter: @JordanDHeyNow