Mile High Magazine 02/25/2024 American Cancer Society

Guest: Christopher Lieu Associate Professor Co-Director, GI Medical Oncology and Kendra Mitchell Colorectal Cancer Survivor March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.  Colorectal cancer is a malignancy that develops in the colon or the rectum.  Screening now starts at 45 because, colorectal cancer is going to be the number one cause of cancer related death in people aged 20 to 49 by 2030.  There are four main symptoms to be looking out for, blood in the stool, unexplained abdominal pain, if you have unexplained fatigue or weight loss, and if you have unexplained iron deficiency.  Kendra was diagnosed in her 30’s, she did not know her family history but went to her primary doctor when she knew something wasn’t right.  The doctor ordered a colonoscopy and they found stage 1 cancer.  Even if you are healthy, it is so important to have that relationship with your primary doctor.  When you know when you need help or when to discuss screening or just to make sure that you're healthy and stay healthy, having a good relationship with a primary care doctor or a nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant can make all the difference. cancer.org