Apr 4, 2008 3:49 pm US/Eastern
CBS4 Colorectal Campaign: Women's Colon Cancer
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MIAMI (CBS4) ―
CBS 4
"The Test For Life" campaign stresses the importance of getting tested for colon cancer and you can be tested for free. Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. and with few specific signs or symptoms, the only hope of catching it early is to get screened.
About 150,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with cancer of the colon or rectum every year, and about 50,000 will die from the disease. It strikes men and women equally.
Some women may think they are not at high risk for developing colorectal cancer, but the facts show women should be just as concerned about the disease as men.
"Women are becoming more astute knowing that they can easily get it, just as men. The frequency is very close to being equal between men and women," Dr. Henry Wodnicki, a colorectal surgeon at Mt. Sinai Hospital said.
Studies show obesity can double a woman's chances of developing colorectal cancer. Other risk factors for women include: diets high in red meat, a lack of exercise, and smoking cigarettes.
But women are more likely to schedule their yearly mammogram than to schedule a colonoscopy.
"The rate of colorectal cancer is decreasing in men, while women it's not changing that much," Dr. Wodnicki said.
Erika Pigoni takes her colon health seriously. She has a condition that puts her at very high risk of colon cancer, so she had an operation, to stop it from ever forming.
"Take care of my health," said Pigoni. "You don't realize how important it is unitl it's gone. I'm going to get my health back and I'm going to keep it."
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