Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer in the United States and may prove fatal if not detected at an early stage. Patients with early detection have a good chance for a total cure. Patients with localized colorectal cancer have much higher 5-year survival rates than those whose disease has spread beyond the colon. Early detection reduces the number of patients who die from this disease as well as improve the quality of life of those who begin treatment at early stages. Simply checking the stool for blood annually reduces death from colorectal cancer significantly. This is recommended for all patients over 45 years of age. In addition, at age 50, all men and women should undergo screening by flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years (a scope is used to directly look at the colon}. For those with a significant family history of colon cancer, full colonoscopy may be indicated at an earlier age.