Stony Brook Medicine healthcare professionals encourage early detection through screening for colorectal cancer.
The good news is, with timely screenings, this cancer can be prevented.
An overall healthy lifestyle is the best defense against disease, including some cancers. Maintaining a healthy weight through regular physical activity and eating a balanced diet, and eliminating tobacco is a great place to start. Using available screenings to detect a health issue early is also a smart move. For cancer, early detection is promoted because the earlier treatment is started, the better the outcomes. The screening for colorectal cancer is unique in that regard. Not only can cancer be detected in an early stage as part of the screening process, there is an opportunity to eliminate the pre-cursor to cancer before it develops.
Colorectal cancer arises from the lining of the large intestine (colon) or rectum, usually from cells that secrete mucus. In most cases, it starts out as a polyp, which is a premalignant, benign lesion or an overgrowth in the lining of the colon. If left alone, a polyp can grow into cancer. This takes approximately seven to eight years, and during this time, a person may not experience any symptoms. Unlike other cancers, the cancer cells do not spread outside the polyp during this time period. Essentially, this means if a polyp is found and removed, the risk of cancer is eliminated.
For your screening colonoscopy options at Stony Brook Medicine, call (631) 444-COLON (2656) or click here for more information.
To learn more about this highly preventable cancer and screening options at Stony Brook:
Colon and Rectal Cancer: Prevention and Treatment
Ask the Expert: Paula Denoya, MD, Assistant Professor of Surgery, Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery
Colorectal Cancer: Highly Preventable, Highly Treatable
Ask the Expert: Paula Denoya, MD, Assistant Professor of Surgery, Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery
What You Need to Know About Virtual Colonoscopy
FAQs about virtual colonoscopy
When colon or rectal cancer is diagnosed, the experts at Stony Brook Cancer Center can help:
Colorectal Oncology Management Team