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COLON CANCER RISK FACTORS
March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month
What are the risk factors? Colon Cancer Risk Factors are often hard to explain…and hard to pin point. But below are a few that top the list. When I was diagnosed my oncologist recommended I do a MY RISK test. This tested for many cancer markers including the Lynch Syndrome test. I have to admit that this test may have been the scariest for me. I already knew I had Cancer…so that wasn’t going to change…but what could change and what would have been devastating is if I tested positive and the possibility of me passing this down to my children…or that my brother might also carry this mutation. Luckily, thankfully, all my genetic testing came back negative. My brother was clear, (although I strongly suggest he go in and get screened anyway), and my kids didn’t have to be tested right away. However, my children will begin the screening process at a much earlier age, in their early 20’s, because I had it and had it at a young age.
Age over 50: colon cancer is more likely to occur as people get older. More than 90 percent of people with this disease are diagnosed after age 50. The average age at diagnosis is 72.
Colon polyps: Polyps are growths on the inner wall of the colon or rectum. They are common in people over age 50. Most polyps are benign (not cancer), but some polyps (adenomas) can become cancer. Finding and removing polyps may reduce the risk of colon cancer.
Family history of colon cancer: Close relatives (parents, brothers, sisters, or children) of a person with a history of colon cancer are somewhat more likely to develop this disease themselves, especially if the relative had the cancer at a young age. If many close relatives have a history of colon cancer, the risk is even greater.
Learn more about risks at Colon Cancer Alliance.
What is YOUR RISK? Take the Risk Quiz.
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Join me for DRESS IN BLUE DAY!
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And lets not forget this AWESOME GIVEAWAY!
Coming to you from my girl Leslie Dohrn and her newest venture HOWARD + DOHRN !
It’s no secret I love me some Stella & Dot and Leslie has found the perfect GO BLUE item to giveaway to all of you awesome supporters and GO BLUE peeps!
The giveaway starts today and you can create entries thru March 15th! Good Luck and go share some COLON CANCER AWARENESS!
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