Excerpts from a chat on colon cancer

Patrick (Chicago, Illinois) – 12:11 PM:All the recent rave is colon cleansing. How effective is it, if at all, and what is the best way of performing it? Dr. Manoj Mehta Rave is a good word. It does seem to be a fad, but there is little science behind it. One of the things we

Excerpts from a chat on colon cancer

Reagan (Atlanta) – 12:08 PM:My mother is a colon cancer survivor and I have had many GI issues, which have been mostly reflux issues. I am 36 and I am wondering if I should be pre-emptive and receive a colonoscopy now, rather than waiting until I am 40? Dr. Manoj Mehta For you, traditionally we

Excerpts from a chat on colon cancer

 Jose (Chicago, Illinois) – 12:06 PM:As a diabetic, am I more prevalent to this disease? Dr. Manoj Mehta Data suggests that people with diabetes develop colon cancer more frequently than those without. They also do not do as well with the available treatment options and have a higher rate of recurrence. Whether this can be

USPSTF discusses colon cancer screening at 45

The American Cancer Society has been the first major organization to recommend colorectal cancer screening should begin at age 45. Now the US Preventative Services Taskforce has also suggested this is the correct age to begin screening for all patients. The proposed guideline is under review and comments are open until November 23. The American

Non-invasive blood test might detect early colon cancer

In a recorded audio presentation in lieu of the usual annual DDW meeting, Shai Friedland, MD, professor of medicine at the Stanford University Medical Center, presented information on a blood test that may detect colon cancer. He said techniques to detect circulating cells in the blood have become more sensitive, which creates the potential to

Even a half-sibling with colon cancer is a high risk factor

Half-siblings of people with colon cancer have nearly the same colon cancer risk as full siblings do — a 6% cumulative lifetime risk compared with 7% — and a higher risk than other second-degree relatives have, researchers recently reported. The risk may be due both to genetics and to shared environmental factors, and the finding

Colorectal cancer behaves differently in young patients

Colorectal cancer is noted to be on the rise in younger patients. This is concerning as rates have steadily declined in other age groups. Although a small percentage overall, the rate of most marked rise in colon cancer is seen in the 20’s. New research suggests colorectal cancer is clinically different in younger patients. The