By Jaime Joshi Elder
No-one knew.
He was fifty feet tall, portraying icons like Black Panther – a fictional hero made flesh or Jackie Robinson and Thurgood Marshall – flesh and blood heroes who walked among us.
No-one knew that Chadwick Boseman, barely in his 40s, was battling colon cancer and when he succumbed to the disease in 2020, shockwaves of grief ripped through Hollywood and the world at large.
He was so young. He seemed so strong. He was in the prime of his life. He seemed undefeatable and then, he was gone.
According to the National Cancer Institute, new cases of colorectal cancer in people under the age of 50 have been rising over the past several decades.
“Colon cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed each year in both men and women,” said Wellington-based colorectal surgeon and partner at Advanced Surgical Physicians Kyle Eldredge, D.O. “In people over 50 years old, the overall incidence of colorectal cancer has actually been dropping over the last three decades due to increased screening. However, in people younger than 50, the numbers are increasing by 1-2% per year since the 1990s and by 2030, early-onset colorectal cancer is expected to become the leading cancer related cause of death for people aged 20-to-49.”
He encourages people to be actively engaged in their health and wellness and has created a list of five things he would never do as a colorectal surgeon.
- Ignore your family history.
While age is the most important risk factor for the development of colorectal cancer with over 90% of colorectal cancers diagnosed in men and women over the age of 45, family history is also important when it comes to diagnosis and prevention.
“Having a single first degree relative with colorectal cancer can increase your risk 2-3 fold,” said Dr. Eldredge.
- Skip screenings.
Simply put, screenings save lives and Dr. Eldredge says screenings should start at the age of 45 for people without risk factors like a family history of colorectal cancer or polyps.
“Most early-stage colorectal cancers do not produce symptoms – they start as noncancerous
Polyps,” he said. “Through screening and removal of polyps, the risk of colorectal cancer can be reduced by as much as 75-85%.”
- Underestimate your symptoms
Maintaining good health requires vigilance and knowing your body. Most colon and rectal cancers do not cause symptoms in the early stages but it is vital that people are aware of the warning signs so they can know when to solicit the advice of a medical professional.
“Symptoms include abdominal pain, bloody stool, fatigue, anemia due to blood loss and a change in bowel habits,” said Dr. Eldredge. “Symptoms vary from person to person which can make diagnosis challenging but if you notice you’re experiencing these symptoms, talk to your doctor.”
- Refuse to modify your lifestyle.
The way you live your life has a huge impact on your health and Dr. Eldredge echoes advice dispensed by former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy – alcohol consumption is the third leading preventable cause of cancer in the United States.
“Alcohol use has been linked to several different types of cancer, including colon cancer,” Dr. Eldredge said. “Ethanol, the type of alcohol found in commonly consumed drinks such as beer, wine and hard liquor acts as an irritant to mucosal linings of the GI tract, including the mouth, esophagus, stomach, and small and large intestine.”
He recommends that in addition to drinking less and quitting smoking, people should eat less red meat and processed foods, add more fruits, vegetables and whole grains to their diets and get moving – walking, working out or any kind of exercise that gets you off the couch.
- Refuse to talk about your bowel movements to your physician.
It might be an uncomfortable conversation but ultimately, it could be a conversation that saves your life. People might not like talking about it because they feel awkward or they don’t want to make a fuss – attributing changes in bowel movements to bad shrimp cocktail or indulging in too much spicy food – but it’s worth having the conversation if you have any concerns.
“If you have constipation or new-onset diarrhea, changes in the frequency, size or caliber of your bowel movements, your bowel doesn’t seem to empty completely or you have narrow stools – as thin as a pen, for example – and it lasts for several days, you should talk to your doctor,” said Dr. Eldredge. “If you’re experiencing abdominal pain which you think could be due to a bowel blockage, contact your doctor. If you have blood in your stool, talk to your doctor.”
Open and honest communication between yourself and your medical professional can make all the difference in an early diagnosis.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit Advanced Surgical Physicians website at: https://www.toplinemd.com/advanced-surgical-physicians/ or contact them via phone at (561) 333-1335.