Am I at risk for colon cancer?

Dear Doc,

My brother has been diagnosed with cancer of his colon. He is two years older than I (47). What precautions and investigations I should consider?{{more}}

Roland

Dear Roland,

I happy to see that you appreciate that there must be some concern about the link between family members and the possibility that lightening can strike twice. Multiple family members can experience the same cancers, due to their equal exposure and indeed, by virtue of inheritance.

Colon cancer has a significant family link and therefore it is important that you get reviewed by your doctor in view of making sure that you don’t have it, and then at intervals to be sure that the earliest possible sign of it is noticed, for earliest possible intervention. The same way we recommend that men have their prostate, and women their cervix annually examined, the same way persons with family history of colon cancer are required to have investigations at regular intervals.

Some of the investigations include as simple a procedure as testing the stool for occult blood (blood in the stool that cannot be seen by the naked eyes). Tumours in the intestine can have bruising very early in their development and thus, having any evidence of blood very early can prompt early action.

More advanced and decisive screening includes colonoscopy, whereby a camera is inserted into the colon and the image is seen on a monitor. This is a very reliable form of investigation that allows for the images to be recorded and thus can be reviewed by other professionals and used for comparison with other images.

Foods high in roughage, fruits, whole wheat flour, bran and typical “hard food”, are highly recommended. Avoiding highly processed foods and preventing constipation must always be maintained throughout life.

Doc

SVG Cancer Society,

P.O. Box 709, Kingstown.

Email: svgsocietycancer@gmail.com

Phone: 526-7036