March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, an opportunity to promote awareness, encourage screenings, and educate. Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer death in both males and females in Texas, but it can be prevented, detected, and treated.

Prevention

• Maintain a healthy weight. Excess body fat is linked to an increased risk of colorectal cancer.
• Exercise regularly.
• Limit red meat. The more you eat, the more you increase your risk. Aim to eat no more than 18 ounces of cooked red meat each week. Red meat includes beef, pork, and lamb.
• Avoid processed meat. This includes bacon, deli meats and hot dogs.
• Limit alcohol.

Detection

A cancerous polyp can take up to 10-15 years to develop into cancer. With regular screenings, doctors can remove polyps before they can turn into cancer, thus reducing risk for colorectal cancer. You can be screened by completing either a stool-based test or colonoscopy.

Treatment

Surgery is the primary form of treatment. It results in cancer removal approximately 50% of the time.

Patients between the ages of 50-74 should have a stool-based test or a colonoscopy referral. Please speak with an Avenue 360 provider about your risk and screening options. To schedule an appointment, call (713) 426-0027 or click here.

The information contained in this Avenue 360 Web site is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment, and Avenue 360 recommends consultation with your Avenue 360 doctor or health care professional.