Mar 26, 2008 5:42 pm US/Eastern
CBS4 Colorectal Campaign: Colonoscopy
Click here for more information on CBS4.COM/Colorectal
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. That's why CBS4 is kicking off "The Test For Life" campaign.
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.
Dr. Michael Hellinger from Mount Sinai Hospital said it's curable if caught early, but deadly when it's not.
"There's over 125,000 new cases every year, and about 50 to 60 thousand people die in the United States every year," explained Hellinger.
Sometimes colon cancer creates abdominal bloating, or abnormal bowel movements. But many times there are no symptoms at all.
That's why Mount Sinai's Dr. Michael Hellinger says it's so important to undergo screening tests.
Like the "Test for Life", it's available at any Good Neighbor Pharmacy. It's free and it's a lifesaver because colon tumors and precancerous polyps tend to bleed.
"It looks for breakdown products of blood in the stool," Dr. Hellinger says.
The kit comes with specially treated papers, just drop it in the bowl after a bowel movement. If it turns blue, there's blood. Record the reading then simply flush it away. Then, send the results to Mount Sinai Hospital.
"When we do have a positive test," Dr. Hellinger says, "that's when we look for the reason why it is positive. And that prompts a colonoscopy."
All people over age 50 should have a colonoscopy. Many people are uncomfortable with that idea, but Dr. Jamie Barkin, head of gastroenterology at Mount Sinai says people should not be.
"If colon cancer is caught early it's curable. If you take out growths called polyps, you can prevent colon cancer," Dr. Barkin says.
And there's usually no pain; for one thing, patients are sedated. The colonoscope is long but comfortable.
"Most importantly the scope is soft, and moves in four directions," Dr. Barkin says.
And during a recent procedure we videotaped, it probably saved a patient's life.
"As you can see it right there," Dr. Barkin said pointing to a large tumor on the videoscreen, "a large growth causing the problem, which will be removed, and hopefully, we'll have a cure."
Dr. Barkin says stool tests, like 'The Test for Life', plus colonoscopy, are the best weapons to catch colorectal cancer early.
(© MMVIII, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Popular Pages on CBS4.com
