SANDY – March is Colorectal Most cancers Consciousness Month, an opportunity to lift consciousness of the primary most cancers killer for males underneath 50, and quantity two for ladies underneath 50.
In 2021, the U.S. Preventive Companies Job Pressure lowered the advisable age for screening from 50 to 45 on account of extra circumstances on the rise amongst youthful adults.
Mark Seguin, a husband and father of two boys, was 35 when he was identified with stage three colon most cancers.
Three years in the past, he began having cramps on his proper aspect.
“I didn’t suppose a lot of it,” Seguin stated. “I simply thought I ate one thing bizarre.”
However guessing it could possibly be appendicitis, he went to the hospital, the place he underwent totally different assessments, together with a colonoscopy.
“I awoke, they usually’re like, ‘Oh, let me go get your spouse,’” he stated. “I didn’t put two and two collectively that there was dangerous information coming.”
Mark Seguin is a husband and father of two boys. He was 35 when he was identified with stage three colon most cancers. (Seguin household)
Docs had found a tumor throughout Seguin’s colonoscopy – a singular case for a wholesome, youthful grownup with no household historical past of colorectal most cancers.
“I simply sort of gained the dangerous luck lottery,” he stated.
Warning indicators
Colon most cancers is the fourth commonest most cancers within the U.S., based on the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention.
“If in case you have a colon, you could have a danger of colon most cancers,” stated Dr. Nathan Merriman, medical director of gastroenterology and digestive well being at Intermountain Well being.
Merriman stated apart from having a household historical past of colorectal most cancers, different danger elements embrace lack of bodily exercise, a poor weight loss program and smoking.
Warning indicators of colon most cancers might embrace:
Persistent or progressive stomach ache
Modifications in bowel actions, equivalent to constipation or diarrhea
Blood within the stool
Unintentional weight reduction
Prevention
Merriman stated you may assist decrease your danger by staying energetic, consuming plenty of water and maintaining a healthy diet – together with extra greens and fewer processed meats.
“Don’t eat sizzling canines, ever,” he stated. “I don’t know that anybody is aware of precisely what’s in sizzling canines.”
However in fact, the important thing to early detection is common screening starting at age 45, or sooner if in case you have a household historical past of colon most cancers. Throughout a colonoscopy, the best screening technique, a affected person is sedated, after which a physician makes use of a tiny digital camera to look contained in the colon and take away any polyps, that are irregular growths that may flip cancerous.
Merriman stated sufferers shouldn’t be afraid of a colonoscopy. “We actually work arduous to concentrate on the affected person within the room to assist watch all their important indicators, hold them secure, and hold them snug the entire time,” he stated.
If a tumor is detected throughout a colonoscopy, surgical procedure is then wanted.
In Seguin’s case, virtually 24 inches of his colon was eliminated. Three months of aggressive chemotherapy adopted.
“In my head, I’m like, ‘I’m younger and wholesome, I can do that.’ I don’t know that I used to be absolutely ready for a way impactful it was,” he stated. “It was a very tough 12 weeks of going via that.”
Regardless of the challenges, Seguin is now cancer-free and in a position to do the issues he loves, like snowboarding together with his sons.
“Any time I could be exterior is an efficient day,” he stated.
He’s glad he determined to get assist when he did – and has a warning for others. “Take heed to your physique whereas it’s whispering to you a couple of message, so that you don’t need to take care of it when it’s screaming at you.”
Seguin’s youthful sister acquired the message. She determined to get a colonoscopy, the place they discovered pre-cancerous polyps and happily had been in a position to take away them in time.
“I might undergo this once more to ensure that she didn’t need to undergo it or anybody else did,” he stated.
Intermountain Well being helps elevate consciousness with a singular marketing campaign. Their “Let’s Get to the Backside of Colon Most cancers” large inflatable colon tour is heading to numerous hospitals, clinics, and neighborhood facilities in Utah and Idaho all through the month.
The following cease is at Intermountain Alta View Hospital in Sandy on Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.