This Cancer Is Increasing Among Young People

I received this via email from a health clinic in Washington, D.C. When I read the title, I answered out loud "colon cancer". I opened the email and learned I was right. So many young people and older people eat terribly and don't exercise. It's no wonder.

Here'ssome informationI received:

Sadly, colorectal cancer, or cancer of the colon or rectum, is now the third most commonly diagnosed cancer. The month of March is dedicated to National Colorectal Cancer Awareness.

According to the CDC, among cancers that affect both men and women, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Every year, about 140,000 Americans are diagnosed with colorectal cancer, and more than 50,000 people die from it. (1) Early detection is the best means of increasing the survival rate of colorectal cancers.

If you are concerned about colorectal cancer, the CDC recommends colonoscopy as a means of early detection to prevent deaths from colorectal cancer. In fact, colonoscopy screenings are recommended every 10 years for everyone beginning at age 50.

However, there are other screening test options available. Please discuss the options with your doctor as to which test is best for you.

Colonoscopy (every 10 years)

High-sensitivity fecal occult blood test (FOBT), stool test, or fecal immunochemical test (FIT) (every year)

Sigmoidoscopy (every 5 years, with FOBT every three years)

More than 90% of colorectal cancers occur in people aged 50 and older. Other risk factors include a relative with colon cancer, race and ethnicity. But, regardless of age, symptoms such as blood in the stool, stomach pain or stomach cramps, or unexplained weight loss should be discussed with your doctor.

Regular health check ups and screening tests are fundamental to good health. We also believe that maintaining proper bowel health is imperative to decrease the cumulative effects of the toxic load on the body.

What is proper bowel health? The bowel contains billions of bacteria, both friendly and unfriendly. You want to maintain a balance of about 80% friendly to 20% unfriendly bacteria. When your system becomes compromised, the friendly bacteria can fail to contain the unfriendlies, causing an overgrowth of unfriendly bacteria and leading to a toxic environment. Your system can become compromised by many factors, including consumption of processed foods or pesticides, absorptions of unhealthy environmental toxins, illness, medications, or stressful events or lifestyle.