Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month: Doctors suggest a colonoscopy

NEW JERSEY (PIX11) -- Colon cancer is the third most common form of cancer in the United States. More than 100,000 people will be diagnosed with it each year. A growing number of them are under 50 years old. Doctors say it is the most survivable form of the disease.

Colon cancer typically starts as a small abnormal growth in the inner lining of the colon. It's called a polyp and it can grow into a cancer.

Dr. Gregory Charak is a colorectal surgeon at Palisades Medical Center in North Bergen, New Jersey. He said that many people are not aware of the symptoms to look for to alert them that they may have a medical problem.

"Look for changes in bowel habits, new constipation, new diarrhea, and most commonly blood in your stool means you absolutely have to get it checked out," Charak advised.

In recent years, the number of colon cancer cases has decreased in older Americans, while they have taken a sharp rise in younger people.

"Rates are going down in older Americans because of excellent screening," Charak said. "The problem with younger Americans is that they are not getting a colonoscopy when they should."

A colonoscopy may be an uncomfortable procedure, but it is the gold standard for detection of colon cancers.

"We look inside the colon and we look for growths," Charak explained. "During a colonoscopy everything might be normal or we might find a growth, a polyp, which can be removed and prevent a cancer." He added, "If detected early, colon cancer has an excellent survival rate, up to 90%."

Many factors contribute to the risk of cancer, including smoking and alcohol use -- and there's the genetic factor. The surgeon noted, "If your parent had it, it doesn't mean you're going to get it, but family history is a No. 1 risk factor more or less for colon cancer."

Medical experts maintain that a colonoscopy is not only a cancer detection test but a colon cancer prevention test. Early detection could be the key to saving your life.