If you have blood in your stool, a fever or unexplained weight loss, talk with your primary care provider about your symptoms.

Diarrhea, bloating and abdominal pain are signs that your gut health may be out of balance. Maintaining a healthy gut benefits your body far from your gastrointestinal tract. Gut health influences your immune system, brain function, weight and more.

“A healthy gut is really a healthy gut microbiome. The microbiome is a liquid organ in your digestive tract that needs a diversity of gut bacteria, viruses, fungi and other microorganisms to help break down food and metabolize it into energy while supporting the immune system and influencing the gut-brain axis,” said Joshua H. Brandon, M.D., family medicine physician with Norton Community Medical Associates primary care.

Gut dysbiosis happens when the gut microbiota — the microorganisms that make up the microbiome — are out of balance. For example, there may be too little good bacteria or too much bad bacteria.

An unhealthy gut microbiome can hamper your immune system, making you more susceptible to infection. Digestive system issues such as irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, diarrhea and bloating can arise from an unbalanced gut microbiome. And the gut-brain axis — the network of nerves sending signals between your gut and your brain — chiefly controls digestion and can affect mood, including anxiety and depression.

The basics of good gut health start with eating right, exercising and drinking plenty of water.

Healthy eating

Eating a healthy diet with fiber and fruit while avoiding processed foods and too much alcohol contributes to a healthy gut. Look for foods that contain fiber, prebiotics and probiotics.

Keep in mind that processed food includes chemical processing and mechanical processing. Packaged food often has large amounts of saturated and trans fat, added sugar, salt, and food additives that affect the gut.

Even mechanically processed foods can have an impact. Smoothies, with lots of fruit, might seem like a good choice. But in a liquid, the sugar in the fruit hits your system faster than whole fruit and produces a blood-sugar spike. That prompts your pancreas to send out insulin and sends a pleasurable signal to your brain, prompting you to crave more. And since the liquid passes through your system quickly, you may get hungry sooner, even though the smoothie was high in calories.

Here are some examples of foods that promote a healthy gut microbiome:

• Fibers: Whole grains like oatmeal and beans help food move through your digestive system. An important role of dietary fiber is to prevent constipation and support the movement of food through your body. Fiber adds bulk and absorbs water, which makes stool softer and easier to pass. Fiber can help you feel full, slow digestion, clear out your colon and improve gut health.
• Polyphenols: These are found in plants, so vegetables, fruits and whole grains have polyphenols. Particularly good sources of polyphenols are certain berries, herbs, spices and nuts.
• Naturally fermented foods:  These introduce probiotics, or healthy bacteria, into the digestive system. Examples of fermented foods include sauerkraut, kimchi and yogurt with live cultures.
• Healthy fats: Unsaturated fatty acids increase microbiome diversity. Examples of foods rich in unsaturated fats include avocados, almonds, cashews, pecans, pistachios, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds and olive oil.

Exercise

Moderate and intense exercise, combined with a healthy diet, has been shown to improve digestive health. Exercise has a positive influence on how the cells in our body regulate energy production, expenditure and food intake. Metabolism, or how your body converts food into energy, is an important role for your gut microbiota.

The exact cause of the link between exercise and healthy gut microbes is being researched. High-intensity exercise brings more oxygen into the bloodstream, and this may help good bacteria flourish in the gut. Low intensity exercise may help the gut by encouraging the digestive tract to move food through faster.

A study found a link between a healthy microbiome and motivation to exercise (in mice, at least).

Water

Adequate hydration is important to overall health as well as the growth of a healthy gut microbiome and may contribute to diversity in the gut microbiota. Drinking water during or after a meal aids digestion and helps food move through the digestive tract.

In addition to water, hydrating foods include watermelon, cucumbers, oranges and berries Caffeine and alcohol, however, are diuretics that increase fluid loss.

Your urine should be a pale, light yellow. Darker urine suggests you need to drink more water.

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Types of gastrointestinal cancer

The types of GI cancer are different, based on where the cancer begins. Sometimes, colon and rectal cancers are known collectively as “colorectal cancer,” and the terms are used interchangeably. However, even though these cancers all appear in the gastrointestinal tract, they are different in many ways.

• Anal
• Appendix
• Bile duct (cholangiocarcinoma) and gallbladder
• Colon
• Esophageal
• Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST)
• Liver
• Neuroendocrine/carcinoid tumors
• Pancreatic
• Rectal
• Small intestine
• Stomach (gastric)

The signs of GI cancers vary, but blood in the stool or bleeding is a warning sign for all of these cancers. Any bleeding from the area needs to be investigated to determine the source.

“Bleeding can come from hemorrhoids, fissures or other tears in the skin near the anus,” said Michael F. Driscoll, M.D., gastrointestinal medical oncologist at Norton Cancer Institute. “If these symptoms resolve on their own, we don’t worry. But ongoing or worsening symptoms mean further investigation is needed.”

Risks for gastrointestinal cancer

Each type of GI cancer has its own risk factors, and some you can control. Risks may include:

• Family history: If you have a family history of any GI cancer, your risk increases. Some cancers are associated with genetic mutations and can be passed through families.
• Age: Most GI cancers can affect people of all ages, but typically develop after age 50. Colorectal cancer rates have been increasing in younger age groups, however, and the recommended age to begin screenings is 45.
• Gender: People assigned male at birth are more likely to develop a gastrointestinal cancer than people assigned female.
• Lifestyle: A low-fiber, high-fat diet, sedentary lifestyle, obesity, smoking and excess alcohol use all increase the risk of developing GI cancer.

Talk to your doctor if you have new or worsening symptoms, or if you have a family history of any gastrointestinal cancers.

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I still remember his words: “The good news is that I didn’t see any signs of cancer. No polyps or anything like that. But I’ve been doing this for over 20 years, and I don’t know what I’ve just seen. I took a couple of biopsies.”

I left the surgical center with some pictures and a lot of questions. 

It took doctors just 10 days to determine this 50-year-old man had both lymphoma and leukemia — on top of my already diagnosed multiple sclerosis (MS). 

These days, we sometimes hear how “broken” the American health care system is. But the truth is that you have scores of victories at Norton Healthcare every day. I know because I’m one of them. And I didn’t have to leave Kentucky to receive this superior care.

My story began in January 2017 when I entered Norton Brownsboro Hospital’s emergency department with “stroke-like” symptoms. Through testing and the expertise of your physicians, I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and have been a patient of Norton Neuroscience Institute neurologist Geeta A. Ganesh, M.D., MPH, ever since. 

The next two years were challenging as I worked to recover from that episode. Unbeknownst to us all, a more sinister condition was developing inside my body. And by early 2019, I was nearly incapacitated with gastrointestinal problems that I was convinced were rare symptoms of MS. Only through Dr. Ganesh’s advice and care was I put on a path to ultimate healing.

Dr. Evans, who is now with Norton Gastroenterology Consultants of Louisville, referred me to Terence Hadley, M.D., who has since retired as an oncologist from Norton Cancer Institute. He diagnosed me with small B-cell lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukemia. While both of these diagnoses are sadly quite common, my particular case was anything but that. Dr. Hadley informed us of the rarity of my case and that it was a presentation he had never encountered in his career. He was able to find four documented similar cases. Sadly, none of those four had survived. 

Only through his intelligence, compassion, curiosity, persistence and humility am I here today to share this remarkable story. My case was presented to the tumor board. The consensus was that demographically I was a candidate for the standard treatment. But Dr. Hadley thoroughly understood my prognosis. He did not believe I would survive the rigors of that treatment. Though my condition was “unstageable,” and a suitable course of treatment was not immediately apparent, he was determined to find the best path forward. My family and I had full faith in his ability, but the following six weeks were torturous. Mentally and psychologically, I was preparing to die. I am one of the most optimistic people you might encounter. I had even told Dr. Hadley that I would not enter treatment if the treatment itself would kill me.

At his retirement, Dr. Hadley referred me to Khuda D. Khan, M.D., a hematologist and medical oncologist with Norton Cancer Institute. Dr. Khan knew the complicated nature of my case, and it demanded his expertise and care. It was a seamless transition. I am proud to share with you that I am in remission today. 

So many patients seek the expertise of nationally renowned hospitals and centers of excellence, and rightfully so. But I have received superior care right here at Norton Healthcare and in the comfort of my hometown with my family, friends and loved ones by my side. At every juncture, I have been treated as a person with dignity and as an equal partner in discerning the best path. 

We often hear stories of miracles in this world, but I truly believe the care, the science and the doctors and staff that have provided me with such excellent care are miracles in and of themselves. My hope is that my story will stand as a testament to the world-class care that Norton Healthcare provides.

Before my retirement, I spent my career working in higher education and nonprofit fundraising. In that time, I learned that organizations that can most clearly and concisely tell the stories of how their mission is making a difference in this world are the most successful and effective. I am a firm believer in a principle that guided the late Ed Sabol, founder of NFL Films: “Tell me a fact, and I will learn … tell me a truth and I will believe, tell me a story and it will live in my heart forever.”

My hope is that my miraculous story will provide hope, knowledge, and awareness for other patients and for Norton Healthcare.Mike Goetz, who works in collegiate athletics, lives in Louisville.

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Prevention is key

Routine screenings are the first line of defense against colorectal cancer because they can find and remove polyps as well as detect colorectal cancer early — when it’s highly treatable.

At age 45, everyone should be screened for polyps or cancer in one of the following ways:

• Flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years or 
• Colonoscopy every 10 years or CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every five years

If sigmoidoscopy or CT colonography are positive, a colonoscopy should be done.

There also are some simpler options that test only for cancer (not polyps):

• Guaiac-based fecal occult blood test (gFOBT) every year or 
• Fecal immunochemical test (FIT) every year or
• Stool DNA test every three years (Cologuard)

If any of these tests are positive, a colonoscopy should be done. With gFOBT or FIT, at least two tests should be done; one test done by a doctor is not adequate.

Are you at risk?

There is no single cause of colon cancer. Most colon cancers begin as noncancerous (benign) polyps, which can develop slowly into cancer.

You may be at greater risk for developing colon cancer if:

• You have a history of Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis or chronic inflammatory bowel disease.
• You have a personal or family history of colon cancer or precancerous polyps.
• You are over age 45.
• You are a smoker.
• You are a heavy alcohol user.
• You have inherited genetic syndromes such as familial adenomatous polyposis or hereditary nonpolyposis (Lynch syndrome).

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Whatever rumors you’ve heard, the truth is that colonoscopy prep options have gotten much easier in recent years, thanks to lower-dose regimens and better-tasting prep liquids. Colonoscopy prep is very important — a squeaky clean colon gives the doctor a clear view to be able to do their job best. It also helps the doctor find any polyps and remove them before they could become cancer. If the prep is not done properly, you may have to reschedule your colonoscopy.

Don’t let fear keep you from getting a screening that could save your life.

Half the day before, half the day of

Drinking the prep drink every 10 minutes or so may not be necessary anymore. Split-dose bowel prep allows you to take half of the prep drink the night before and the other half the morning of the procedure.

Depending on the prep type, your provider may recommend splitting the dose in half or thirds. If your exam is in the afternoon, you can drink the last of the prep the morning of your appointment. If you have an exam before noon, you can take the last dose about four hours before the colonoscopy. It might make for an early morning, but you will be ready and less likely to have to reschedule due to incomplete preparation.

Studies have shown that split-dose regimens are easier to tolerate, and they clean the colon better — which helps your provider do a thorough evaluation. One study found that doctors find more benign tumors (adenomas) in people who prepared with split doses. Another study found that split-dose prep made prescreening bowel movements easier.

Colonoscopy prep doesn’t have to taste bad

Afraid of having to drink a gallon of bad-tasting laxative solution? If so, you can rest easy — you’ve got options.Newer bowel-cleansing liquids are better tasting and you don’t have to drink as much. Some prep liquids include flavors and can have lower-volume dose sizes at 3 liters, 2 liters and 10 ounces. Lower-volume doses will require drinking extra liquids, such as water, to work best.

Read more:

Tips for preparing for colonoscopy

Colon cancer screening costs

Still worried? Try these tips

• Talk to your provider about your concerns. She or he can work with you to find a prep option that can work for you. Following their instructions will be very important for prep.
• Schedule some time for colonoscopy prep. You’ll likely want to stay home, without distractions, while you prep. Consider this when scheduling your colonoscopy.
• Cut back on fiber a few days before your appointment. Fiber leaves a residue in the colon, so cutting back on beans, nuts or high-fiber foods can help make prep a little easier.
• When it’s time for a liquid diet, change it up a little. You probably won’t feel full drinking just water. You can have coffee, tea, clear broth, popsicles and gelatin. Avoid any red or purple liquids, since the coloring can affect the results of your exam. Also avoid milk, dairy products and nondairy coffee creamer.
• Hack your colonoscopy prep drinking. Here’s how to make drinking prep liquid a little easier:
  • Prep liquid doesn’t come with a flavor packet? Add Crystal Light or Kool-Aid powder.
  • Drink it cold. Many prep liquids can be made the day before and refrigerated.
  • Use a straw.
  • Suck on a lemon or hard candy afterward.
• Have your bathroom ready. Once you’re finished drinking the prep liquid, you’ll want to stay close to the bathroom. Wear loose-fitting, comfy clothes and make sure you’ve got:
  • Soft toilet paper.
  • Skin-soothing products, such as a lotion or baby rash ointment.
  • Entertainment, such as a book or magazine you’ve wanted to read.

Still on the fence?

If you have a colon, you are at risk for colon cancer. A colonoscopy is the best way to find and remove polyps (small growths that can become cancer) as well as small cancers before they can spread. The American Cancer society recommends colonoscopies for those at average risk of colon cancer starting at age 45. You may not love the prep, but you can have peace of mind that you’re taking steps to be cancer-free.

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When detected early with proper screening, colon cancer is 90% preventable. Why, then, are so many African Americans dying of colorectal diseases?

The issue is complicated, and there are several theories behind the pervasiveness of colorectal cancers among African Americans. Here are a few:

• Lifestyle: Diet, rates of obesity, smoking and lack of exercise, especially in low-income communities, all contribute to an increase in the chance of a cancer diagnosis.
• Environment: Individuals with limited access to health care or early detection screenings, due to either financial or geographic reasons, have a lower chance of survival.
• Genetics: In studies where environmental factors were controlled, there is still a higher rate of colorectal cancer among African Americans. Other recent studies have suggested that there are genetic differences that contribute to colorectal cancers on the right side in African Americans, more so than in any other population. Right-side cancers are associated with poorer health outcomes.

Besides the above three reasons, culture can play significant role, although this factor is more difficult to fully understand and manage.

Surveys have suggested that some African Americans may have a deep-seated distrust of the medical system, stemming from a complicated intersection of social, historical and economic factors.

There is also a deeply embedded resistance to the intrusiveness and personal nature of screenings such as a colonoscopy, to the degree that even individuals with many risk factors refuse to be evaluated.

Education efforts about the importance of colon cancer screening, as well as breaking down barriers to access, can help catch more cancers early when they are more treatable.

Colon cancer is highly treatable if caught early

Getting a colon cancer screening or colonoscopy is the best way to prevent colon cancer. When caught early, colon cancer is highly treatable. If a polyp is found during your colonoscopy, it can be removed right away. While the colonoscopy test is very reliable, your doctor might recommend a less-invasive alternative such as Cologuard or fecal immunochemical test (FIT) screen.

Most insurance plans, including Medicare, cover all or most of the cost of a colon cancer screening. Check with your insurance provider before scheduling to understand any costs you may have.

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“So many of the gastrointestinal conditions may not be life-threatening, but they can be extremely life- altering,” said Dr. Sharpe, who sees patients at Norton Gastroenterology Consultants of Louisville. “Everything we deal with is a big deal to the people to whom it’s happening.”

Dr. Sharpe is the newest member of Norton Healthcare’s gastroenterology and liver diseases team. Joining Norton Healthcare is a homecoming of sorts for Dr. Sharpe. The Bowling Green, Kentucky, native did her internal medicine residency at the University of Louisville and fell in love with the city.

Dr. Sharpe said she chose Norton Healthcare because of the quality of care and people who work at Norton Healthcare tend to stay put.

“Clearly, the people who work here are happy. That carries over to your patient care and how you’re treating everyone else during the day,” Dr. Sharpe said.

Dr. Sharpe chose gastroenterology because she loves procedures but still wanted time with patients. As a doctor treating gastrointestinal (GI) conditions, she cares for patients over the long term and really gets to know them and their families.

Moreover, many patients seeking care from a gastroenterologist may feel defined by their illnesses. Acknowledging them as the people they are, rather than diagnoses they carry, is an area where she can make a difference.

Endoscopy Advances Help GI Patients Avoid Major Surgery

Gastroenterology is making advances in what it’s able to do for patients with endoscopy, often giving people relief from symptoms without major surgery, according to Dr. Sharpe.

“New techniques and new technology allow us to do minimally invasive procedures to help people,” she said. “It is incredibly gratifying when we see those patients back in the office several month later, living healthier, fuller lives.”

Female Patients Often Feel More Comfortable With a Woman GI Doctor

Dr. Sharpe attended the University of Kentucky as an undergraduate and Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Erie, Pennsylvania, for medical school. She completed her internal medicine residency, including a year as a chief resident, at the University of Louisville, followed by a gastroenterology fellowship at East Tennessee State University, Johnson City.

“For whatever reason, there are still fewer women going into GI than other medical and surgical subspecialties,” Dr. Sharpe said. “Often, female patients are more comfortable discussing sensitive topics and having invasive exams, like colonoscopy, performed by a female doctor.”

In addition to cancers of the esophagus, pancreas, liver and colon, conditions treated by gastroenterologists include celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome and swallowing disorders.

Researchers also increasingly are linking the gastrointestinal tract to a number of other non-GI conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and diabetes. As the research advances in the coming years, Dr. Sharpe is excited about the possibility that she may one day have a chance to help address these ailments.

“There’s huge potential for that in the future,” Dr. Sharpe said.

The post Alison Sharpe, D.O.: A relationship approach to gastroenterology appeared first on Norton Healthcare.

Steven Michael Kane will never forget June 23, 2018. It was a Saturday. Mike, as family and friends know him, was getting a screening colonoscopy. He felt great and had no reason to worry, or so he thought.

“That test saved my life,” he said. “My doctor told me later if I had waited another few months my story might have had a very different ending.”

Gregory L. Juhl, M.D., Norton Surgical Specialists – St. Matthews, performed Mike’s colonoscopy, which revealed cancer that had not yet caused any symptoms. Dr. Juhl was subsequently able to remove the cancer, and Mike has required no chemotherapy or radiation treatment. He does get regular follow-ups and will have future surveillance colonoscopies.

Mike, who works at Zoom Group as a job coach with adults who have disabilities, shared what led up to his incredibly timely test.

When he turned 50 in October 2017, he knew he should get screened for colon cancer, but like many others he put it off. By early June, when he tried to schedule a screening, he learned there would be a four-month wait.

His wife, Sue, is a medical coder at Norton Healthcare. She remembered hearing Norton Cancer Institute had begun offering screening colonoscopies on Saturdays. A quick call to (502) 446-WELL (9355) and Mike’s June 23 appointment was all set.

Convenient Saturday screenings

Norton Cancer Institute initiated Saturday colonoscopies in May 2018. Norton Healthcare was the first system in Louisville to offer consistent nonemergency weekend scheduling.

According to the American Cancer Society, people are generally aware that colon cancer screening is important and that catching colon cancer early increases survival rates. Yet taking time off work can be a barrier to getting tested, especially for anyone earning hourly wages, when lost time means lost pay.

“Losing pay wasn’t the big issue for me; it was losing the time to give those I work with the direct support they need,” Mike said.

Dr. Juhl, medical director for Norton Women’s & Children’s Hospital, said there are myriad reasons why people over age 50 do not get screened for colon cancer.

“It is a time commitment, so having a Saturday option for scheduling a screening colonoscopy definitely creates more opportunity for people who face scheduling conflicts.”

In 2018, from the time Saturday colonoscopies were launched in May through December, 93 people took advantage of weekend screenings. An additional 40 are scheduled through February 2019. For now, the tests are being done at Norton Women’s & Children’s Hospital, but more locations are planned.

Telling it like it is

Mike treasures being a husband, dad and grandfather. He loves God and country. He enjoys the outdoors, classic muscle cars and hot rods. At his Fern Creek home he barbecues mouthwatering ribs, burgers and chops, and posts photos on social media with the tagline: Fix’n to get good.

If a movie director were looking for a man to play the role of “all-around good guy people would trust to speak the truth,” Mike would be a great choice.

So believe Mike when he says, “All you people over 50, especially men like me, you need to get over it. Wake up and get a colonoscopy.”

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Bloating. That swollen, distended belly that can feel very uncomfortable and cause your clothes not to fit properly. One cause of bloating may be  excess gas.  Is there a way to get rid of it, or stop it from happening in the first place?

The internet thinks so. It, along with TV infomercials, are swelling with advertising for detox teas, pills and fly-by-night remedies to relieve bloating. Do they work?

We turned to a gastrointestinal specialist for answers.

“There are many myths and even more speculation around the causes of bloating,” said Gerard Siciliano, M.D., gastroenterologist with Norton Gastroenterology Consultants of Louisville. “There simply is no clear-cut cause of bloating. Bottom line: Bloating is a side effect of many things and happens to many people.”

Intestinal gas (a fancier way to describe bloating) tends to settle in the abdominal area, causing the belly to stick out and feel full. The gas can also be painful, causing sharp pain or pressure. It can be caused by foods we eat, liquids we drink or medications we take, just to name a few.

“When the discomfort hits, the best thing you can do is get up and get moving,” Dr. Siciliano said. “Exercise may decrease the pressure and get the intestinal gasses to either absorb into the body or be expelled.”

How about all the hype on the internet?

Over-the-counter medications or mail-order remedies may work for a short while, but if not taken as directed, can increase symptoms or interfere with other medications, according to Dr. Siciliano.

“It is always best to talk to your doctor about your symptoms before trying detox teas, cleansing remedies or gas reducers,” he said. “Your doctor will advise you on making dietary and lifestyle changes, such as trying the low FODMAP diet, or work with you to make changes to your medications.”

Start by monitoring the amount of fresh fruits, vegetables, salads and dairy products you eat.

“In our minds we know these as healthy foods, so we tend to load up on them, but by doing so we may be creating excess intestinal gas,” Dr. Siciliano said. “Don’t cut out these foods; just limit yourself to the correct portion sizes.”

He also recommends:

• Reducing or eliminating sodas and carbonated drinks
• Drinking plenty of water
• Keeping salt intake to a minimum
• Trying peppermint
• Limiting artificial sweeteners, which are hard to digest
• Eating meals at regular times
• Taking a trial of probiotics

If your bloating is persistent even after making dietary and lifestyle changes, it’s time to talk with your doctor.

“Unexplained bloating or long periods of bloating may be a sign you need testing for celiac disease, lactose intolerance, irritable bowel syndrome or another medical condition,” Dr. Siciliano said.

Talk to your doctor if you are experiencing bloating along with:

• Weight loss without trying or making lifestyle changes
• Frequent or unexplained diarrhea
• Severe pain that comes on suddenly, as this could be a sign of a bowel blockage
• Blood in your stool or vaginal bleeding between periods

Need a physician? We can help. Find one who’s right for you.

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You may be one of millions of people who take a low-dose aspirin daily to help guard against heart disease, and now there’s even better news: This humble nonprescription drug can also help prevent cancer.

A recent study of data collected over 30-plus years from 47,881 men and 88,084 women found that those who regularly took aspirin had a lower incidence of cancer. Overall, the chance of developing cancer was 3 percent less for those who regularly took aspirin, which the research called “moderate but significant.”

The study, published online by the Journal of the American Medical Association, found the anti-cancer benefit was linked to at least six years of regular aspirin use. This represents a positive shift from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force’s 2015 statement, which said people who took aspirin for at least 10 years to prevent heart disease may also have a reduced risk of colon cancer.

“It is felt that the body’s inflammatory pathways play a pivotal role in a multitude of chronic ailments, including some cancers,” said Joseph Flynn, D.O., executive director and physician-in-chief of Norton Cancer Institute. “Aspirin reduces inflammation by blocking specific enzymes in the body, which may in turn influence cancer risk.”

This study shows that regular use of low-dose aspirin appears to hold particular promise in helping prevent colon cancer. The data indicated study subjects had a 19 percent reduced risk of colon cancer and a 15 percent reduced risk of general gastrointestinal tract cancers.

While aspirin’s potential to help decrease colon cancer risk is good news, the even better news is that colon cancer is highly preventable. In spite of this, colon cancer is the second deadliest form of cancer. The Colon Cancer Prevention Project estimates that six out of 10 colon cancer deaths in the U.S. could be prevented if everyone were screened at age 50.

Regular use of low-dose aspirin can complement — but not take the place of — colon cancer screenings.

Most colorectal cancers develop slowly over several years. Before cancer develops, noncancerous growths called polyps often appear on the inner lining of the colon or rectum. Polyps can be identified and removed during a screening colonoscopy, effectively preventing colorectal cancer.

Colonoscopy remains the gold standard for colon cancer screening. It’s the single most effective way to detect and remove polyps before they become cancerous.

Taking an aspirin daily, reducing how much red meat you eat and eating more vegetables and fruits are all good practices, but nothing takes the place of a colonoscopy when it comes to preventing colon cancer.

For those who need a colon cancer screening, Norton Healthcare’s on-demand colonoscopy service offers convenience (no doctor’s appointment needed) and savings (no office visit co-pay). On-demand colonoscopy lets you register by phone and get your test preparation materials by mail. You return all required materials and schedule your procedure, then meet the gastroenterologist at the hospital for the colonoscopy. For more information on this service, call (502) 896-4711.

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