LETTERS: “With early detection, 40000 or more lives could be saved.”

Cancer screening can save lives

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. As a specialist in the screening, prevention and treatment of colorectal cancer, I see, every day, the unnecessary suffering of patients who have waited too long to discover they have colorectal cancer. Colon cancer is the fourth most commonly occurring cancer and is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. This year 140,000 people will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer, and 56,000 people will die from this disease. This is roughly equal to the number of people who die from homicide (18,000) and auto accidents (38,000) combined. With early detection, 40,000 or more lives could be saved.

The good news is that colorectal cancer can be found in its pre-malignant state, in the form of non-cancerous polyps. This is done through a colonoscopy, a simple procedure that allows the physician to look directly at the entire lining of the colon and rectum. Removing these polyps at colonoscopy is painless and can markedly reduce or eliminate the risk of getting colorectal cancer. Current theories propose that it takes approximately 10 years for a small polyp to grow into a cancer.

The American Cancer Society recommends that those without a family history should have their first colonoscopy at the age of 50 and every 10 years afterward. Those at higher risk with a past history of polyps or a family history in a first-degree relative should complete their first colonoscopy at age 40 and every five years afterward. Recent recommendations are that African-Americans receive their first colonoscopy at age 45.

March is a good month to make an appointment with a colon and rectal surgeon who is an expert in the screening, diagnosis and treatment of colorectal polyps and cancer. Additional information can also be obtained through your primary health care provider.

J.Timothy Tolland, M.D.

Ormond Beach

 

Keep fighting

Since 2012 there have been 197 deaths as a result of mass shootings with semi-automatic weapons. These weapons were originally designed for military combat assault and defense. They were created to provide the most kill power in the shortest period of time and they have succeeded. They have been the choice of the murderers from Sandy Hook to Parkland.

Each time one of these tragedies occurs, we mourn for a short time and then argue over support of the Second Amendment, constantly reiterating the second clause, ignoring the militia issue — and the fact that the Constitution and the Bill of Rights were created to define a government and laws established in the Declaration of Independence.

“Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” The murders have prevented these innocent people the promise of their unalienable rights. These children were not only the children of Parkland and Sandy Hook; these were children of all of us. They will never be able to fulfill their dreams or contribute to our success. The victims at Pulse and Virginia Tech were cut short of lives that not only belong to them but also to us.

Support the children and parents of Majory Stoneman Douglas High School. This will be a difficult task and will only be accomplished if we band together in a uncompromising push to convince elected officials to support victims, convince retailers to remove assault weapons from their shelves, and influence gun owners for active support. It’s a tough road — but don’t give up.

John Leinmiller

Palm Coast 

 

from Health - Google News http://ift.tt/2FIN0wz