[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.bergenmed.com\/colorectal-cancer-screening-a-powerful-preventative-tool\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.bergenmed.com\/colorectal-cancer-screening-a-powerful-preventative-tool\/","headline":"Colorectal cancer screening: A powerful preventative tool","name":"Colorectal cancer screening: A powerful preventative tool","description":"Bhavik Bhandari, MD, gastroenterologist at Bergen Medical Associates, shares why \u201845 is the new 50\u2019 (and other important facts) when it comes to screening for colon cancer   March is Colorectal Cancer Screening Awareness Month \u2014 but the fact is, every\u00a0month is a great time to capitalize on the power of colonoscopies and other screening","datePublished":"2022-03-01","dateModified":"2024-01-30","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.bergenmed.com\/author\/bmaadmin\/#Person","name":"BMA","url":"https:\/\/www.bergenmed.com\/author\/bmaadmin\/","identifier":1,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/739926f978e2075ff1252542d7683b64005f39680b89bf687eccfb5e84dd7568?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/739926f978e2075ff1252542d7683b64005f39680b89bf687eccfb5e84dd7568?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Bergen Medical Associates","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.bergenmed.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/bma-logo-2.png","url":"https:\/\/www.bergenmed.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/04\/bma-logo-2.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.bergenmed.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/reopening-slide-1.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.bergenmed.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/05\/reopening-slide-1.jpg","width":1590,"height":670},"url":"https:\/\/www.bergenmed.com\/colorectal-cancer-screening-a-powerful-preventative-tool\/","about":["News"],"wordCount":835,"articleBody":"Bhavik Bhandari, MD, gastroenterologist at Bergen Medical Associates, shares why \u201845 is the new 50\u2019 (and other important facts) when it comes to screening for colon cancer March is Colorectal Cancer Screening Awareness Month \u2014 but the fact is, every\u00a0month is a great time to capitalize on the power of colonoscopies and other screening tools to help prevent colon cancer.Following, Bhavik Bhandari, MD, gastroenterologist at\u00a0Bergen Medical Associates, with six offices throughout Bergen County, shares important facts about colorectal cancer and why screening represents the best and most effective way to prevent the development or progression of the disease.Colorectal Cancer is Common \u2014 and Preventable \u2014\u00a0According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer among men and women and the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S. \u201cColorectal cancer encompasses two different regions \u2014 the colon and the rectum,\u201d explained Dr. Bhandari. \u201cWhile people over 50 used to be in the highest-risk category for colon cancer, we now see heightened risk occurring in people over 40.\u201d Risk factors for colon cancer that are outside of our control include age and a family history of the disease, especially within a first-order relative. \u201cHowever, risk factors within our control include smoking, excessive consumption of alcohol or red meat, obesity and inactivity (a sedentary lifestyle),\u201d said Dr. Bhandari, who noted that African Americans are at higher risk of colon cancer than other races. The good news? \u201cColon cancer is a slower-growing cancer, which gives us time to identify issues before they become truly problematic,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd the disease is almost fully preventable.\u201dScreening Saves Lives\u00a0\u2014\u00a0\u201cScreening is important because data over the years confirms that mortality from colon cancer has gone down significantly among patients who have gotten screened,\u201d Dr. Bhandari said. \u201cMost patients with colon cancer don\u2019t have any symptoms, especially in early stages. By the time patients do have symptoms (which can include abdominal pain, changes in bowel habits, weight loss, blood in the stool and anemia), we typically find colon cancer at a later stage than among those who are asymptomatic and whose disease was detected early through screening.\u201d\u201c45 is the New 50\u201d\u00a0\u2014\u00a0As recommended by the American Cancer Society three years ago and subsequently adopted by many other respected agencies, \u201ceverybody of average risk should start colon cancer screenings at age 45, making \u201845 the new 50\u2019 for people of average risk,\u201d Dr. Bhandari said. \u201cThose at higher risk should get screened at a younger age.\u201dColonoscopies Are the \u2018Gold Standard\u2019 of Screening\u00a0\u2014\u00a0While popular at-home colon cancer screening tests look for DNA markers in stool that may indicate colon cancer after it\u2019s developed, \u201cThe colonoscopy is an all-encompassing, gold standard test which will hopefully prevent you from getting cancer for your whole life,\u201d Dr. Bhandari said. At the start of a colonoscopy, patients are given medication so that they don\u2019t feel anything; a doctor will then insert a flexible tube into the colon to look for the presence of abnormal tissue growth. \u201cBefore colon cancer is cancer, it starts as a polyp, and, once identified during the colonoscopy, can be eradicated right then and there and prevented from developing into cancer altogether,\u201d he said. \u201cColonoscopies don\u2019t need to be done that frequently \u2014 only every five to 10 years for those with average risk and normal results. \u00a0Colonoscopies represent a powerful means of prevention as well as a great management tool because we can remove anything we see so that it never develops into colon cancer.\u201dIt’s Not Your Grandfather\u2019s Colonoscopy Anymore\u00a0\u2014\u00a0While many people are put off by colonoscopies because they historically involved longer procedures and foul-tasting prep drinks, Dr. Bhandari confirmed that times have changed\u00a0\u2014\u00a0for the better. \u201cAmong other things, our camera technology has advanced, CO2\u00a0is used during today\u2019s procedure to minimize patient discomfort, and patients now drink a far tastier, Gatorade-based prep the evening before,\u201d he said. \u201cIn addition, people don\u2019t have to take off from work the day before the procedure; they can work a normal day and drink the solution that evening. The whole procedure itself takes 25 minutes and patients are in and out of the facility within two to three hours.\u201cOverall, people shouldn\u2019t be afraid of a colonoscopy \u2014 it\u2019s not the same procedure as it was in the past and it\u2019s incredibly effective at saving lives,\u201d Dr. Bhandari confirmed. \u201cEverybody should get a colonoscopy according to the recommended age and risk guidelines because it\u2019s the most potent tool we have to prevent disease, suffering and death from colorectal cancer.\u201dFor More InformationWith offices in Emerson, Paramus (2), Ridgewood, Northvale and Montvale, Bergen Medical Associates offers primary care and 12 areas of specialized care. Patients enjoy the \u201cone-stop shopping\u201d approach where so many medical services are provided under one umbrella. The multi-specialty group fosters an environment of collaboration among the physicians, which results in a seamless continuum of care for patients. For more information, contact us today or call\u00a0201-967-8221."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Colorectal cancer screening: A powerful preventative tool","item":"https:\/\/www.bergenmed.com\/colorectal-cancer-screening-a-powerful-preventative-tool\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]