Early Screening is Essential to the Prevention of Colon and Rectal Cancers. Early screening can also affect the Cure Rate of Colon and Rectal Cancers.
Colorectal cancer is the fourth most commonly occurring cancer in the USA and nearly five percent of Americans will develop colorectal cancer in their lifetime. At any time, over one million Americans are currently living with colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, with over 56,000 people expected to die from this disease each year.
However, it is a preventable and very curable disease if caught early.
Because there are often no symptoms when it is first developing, colorectal cancer can only be caught early through regular screening.
The possibility of curing patients after symptoms develop is only 50%, but if colorectal cancer is found and treated at an early stage before symptoms develop, the opportunity to cure it is 80% or better.
Most colon cancers start as non-cancerous growths called polyps. If these polyps are found early, while they are still non-cancerous, they can be removed and the cancer may be prevented. Major surgery can usually be avoided, as well.
Colorectal surgeons are experts in the surgical and nonsurgical treatment of colon and rectal problems and play an instrumental role in the effective screening, prevention and treatment of colorectal cancer. Studies have shown that patients treated by colorectal surgeons are more likely to survive colorectal cancer because of their advanced training and the large number of colon and rectal disease surgeries they perform.
At RCRS we offer colonoscopies in our convenient outpatient procedure centers, often at lesser cost compared to colonoscopies in the hospital setting. Female and Male providers are available for colorectal cancer screening.
Call us to learn more or to arrange for a pre colonoscopy visit.