When American actor Chadwick Boseman died last month of stage four colon cancer, his tragic death at the age of 43 highlighted the need for regular cancer checks, especially for African-Caribbean members of the population, where rates of colon cancer are particularly high.
In the Cayman Islands, colon cancer takes the second-highest position in terms of cancer-related deaths for women. As well, colon cancer is one of the cancers most likely to impact men. Reports from the Cancer Registry state that colon cancer is the second most-often reported kind of cancer, reflecting its position in the world as the second-biggest cause of deaths globally that are related to cancer.
On average, men and women who receive a colon cancer diagnosis are about 52 years old. Research from the United States reveals that, out of 21 men, one man will have colon cancer, and, out of 23 women, one woman will be in a similar position.
To some cancer experts, colon cancer is one of the biggest threats to both men and women around the world. Effective colon cancer screening, however, can curb the growing rates of diagnosis around the world. Screening for colon cancer involves a process called a colonoscopy.
Though colonoscopies may inspire anxiety in patients, as the process requires a long tube equipped with a camera to be entered into the rectum, these kinds of cancer checks are essential. Most medical professionals agree that early detection of colon cancer is the key to saving lives, especially in cases of younger patients who are more likely experience a more aggressive form of colon cancer.
Colonoscopies generally require 30 to 40 minutes of a patient’s time, and in the Cayman Islands, the process takes place while a patient is sedated. The patient experiences no pain and retains no memory of the colonoscopy.
During a colonoscopy, the camera at the end of the flexible tube that is inserted into the colon helps doctors identify potential problem areas called polyps. When a polyp is observed through the camera, it is surgically removed and sent away for testing. If test results reveal that the polyp is cancerous, regular screenings continue to take place to monitor the colon for more polyps or for any irregularities that might appear near the site of the original polyp. The appearance of a tumor in the colon typically results in a laparoscopic surgery, also known as keyhole surgery; some patients also receive chemotherapy or radiotherapy in addition to the surgical treatment.
Medical guidelines established by the American College of Physicians recommend that all individuals who have African-Caribbean ancestry have their first colonoscopy at the age of 45; individuals who represent other groups are recommended to undergo the screening process at the age of 50.
The rates for recovery from colon cancer vary according to the stage at which the cancer is identified; if caught early, nearly 95% of individuals are cured whereas only 5% can be cured if the cancer is first diagnosed at stage four.
Risk factors for colon cancer include smoking, alcohol, and a family history of colon cancer. As well, certain conditions that impact the colon, like ulcerative colitis or inflammatory bowel disease, can predispose individuals to colon cancer. Maintaining a healthy diet can help minimize a person’s risk of colon cancer.
