"March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month. In honor of this awareness month, HCA Florida North Florida Hospital set up an “inflatable colon” educational tool on their campus, giving their colleagues and visitors the opportunity to experience a realistic visualization of the progression of colon cancer, and the elements of a colon cancer diagnosis. Most recently, the American Cancer Society released statistics showing that colorectal cancer has become the leading cause of death for men and second for women in people younger than 50. Dr. Tony Brar, a gastroenterologist at HCA Florida North Florida Hospital, says that those who may be at a higher risk for colon cancer should talk to their doctor about what screenings might be best for them.
""Colon cancer screening, to me, is the most important way we can detect potential cancers early,"" said Dr. Brar. ""A lot of people get a little nervous when they think about getting a colonoscopy and undergoing that procedure. However, they need to know that even though a colonoscopy is the gold standard for colon cancer screening, there are other minimally invasive ways, such as stool tests, that can be highly effective in screening for this disease.""
The American Cancer Society recommends that people at average risk of colorectal cancer start regular screening at age 45. To schedule your screening, call the HCA Florida North Florida Endoscopy Center today at 352-333-5900."