March is National Colon Cancer Awareness Month and reminds citizens of the importance of screening and early detection.
For WTUZ Radio, this topic is personal, following the passing of founder Ed Schumacher to the disease in March 2013, at the age of 60.
A January report from the Ohio Department of Health reveals that colon and rectum cancer incidence rates in the state varied by county during the five-year period 2018-2022. Tuscarawas County is on the higher end at 44.4 per 100,000 population.
Gastroenterologist Dr. Sapna Thomas says that this cancer is found in both men and women; however, mortality rates in younger women has increased.
“Our lifetime risk for men is about 1 in 23 and women is 1 and 25. So, if you think of 25 of your best friends, one of you developing colon cancer is way too many. We do see younger patients developing colorectal cancer in the more recent years.”
American Cancer Society Communications Director Alex Vukoder adds that prevention steps can be taken.
“Diet, exercise, physical activity, etcetera to decrease our risks of getting all types of cancers, but colon cancer is one of those unique types of cancers that if caught early it is very much treatable as well as the prognosis is significantly better than if found in later stages.”
Find more information about the disease and more risk factors at www.cancer.org.
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