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	Colon Cancer: Colon cancer is one of the most common cancers. Approximately 140,000 new patients are diagnosed and 60,000 die from colon and rectal cancer each year. Colon cancer can be prevented and if detected early it can even be cured. Polyps are often pre-cursor to colon cancer. You may be at risk if: You personally have had polyps or colon cancer You have a family history of colon cancer or polyps You have a family history of non-colon cancer including breast cancer, uterine cancer or ovarian cancer The American Cancer Society recommends screening depending on your risk factors.	Treatment: Detection of polyps and removal is are the best ways to avoid colon cancer. Testing: If you are over 50 years old and have no risk factors of cancer, you should at least have your stool tested for blood every year and a screening flexible sigmoidoscopy and/or barium enema performed every three to five years. A flexible sigmoidoscopy is a shorter and smaller scope than a colonoscopy. A sigmoidoscopy shows about 1/3 of your colon. Patients who are at high risk for the development of colon and rectal cancer should have a full colonoscopy every 5 years starting at 35 or 40 years of age in addition to testing the stool for blood every year. You will need to take some form of bowel cleansing to allow the best view of your colon. Your doctor can advise which exam and bowel prep are appropriate for you.
	For your convenience Patients may fill out Patient Information/Medical History Form or Ask the Doctor a Question thru the Contact Us link. Physicians may also fill out or Physician Referral form located on the Contact Us page.
	Disclaimer This section is as reference guide only. The information contained herein should not be used as or construed to be a diagnosis or used in place of a visit to a physician.

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	Copyright 2008 St Lucie Gastrointestinal Diseases, PL