Colorectal Cancer

To learn more about the Adena Cancer Care Center, colorectal cancer or to request an appointment, please call 740-542-3031.

Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in Americans, yet more than 40 percent of Americans over the age of 50 are not getting the recommended cancer screenings, according to a new guidance statement by the American College of Physicians.

“Every year, 150,000 Americans will be newly diagnosed with colon cancer,” says Michael H. Fealk, D.O., FASCRS, director of colon and rectal surgery at Adena. “Many of these cancers, and certainly many deaths, could be prevented with a colon cancer screening.”

The best way to screen for colon cancer is a colonoscopy, the College reports. Most people should get their first colonoscopy at age 50 and repeat it every 10 years if the test is normal. Other screenings are needed more frequently. Learn more by reading our Colonoscopy FAQs.

People with a family history of colon cancer should get screened at age 40, or when they are 10 years younger than the age at which a family member was diagnosed. African Americans with no risk factors should begin screening at age 45.

You also should talk to your doctor about a screening if you have these symptoms:

• Blood in your stool
• A change in bowel habits lasting more than 2 weeks
• Recurring abdominal pain or unexpected weight loss
• History of inflammatory bowel disease