March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

Family Nurse Practitioner, Ashley McKillip with AdventHealth Medical Group Gastroenterology at Louisville and AdventHealth Avista shares what you need to know about colorectal cancer screenings and prevention:

Current national guidelines recommend people at average risk of colon cancer begin colon cancer screening at age 45. Acceptable forms of colon cancer screening include colonoscopy, stool-FIT-DNA (Cologuard) and FIT testing.

Colonoscopies remain the gold standard of testing, because they allow the opportunity to remove colon polyps before they have the potential to turn into a cancer, therefore preventing colon cancer. Colon cancer can be prevented with screenings. If you have no symptoms and no family history of colon cancer or pre-cancerous colon polyps, screening at age 45 is the appropriate time to begin screening.

There are not always signs of colon cancer, and early-stage colon and rectal cancer often show no symptoms. Signs of colon cancer can include a change in bowel habits, persistent abdominal discomfort, rectal bleeding, fatigue and unexplained weight loss. If any of these are occurring, people should meet with their primary care providers or gastroenterologist team.

Colorectal cancer facts and statistics:

-Colorectal cancer is the fourth most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States.

-It is the second leading cause of cancer deaths.

-It is highly treatable when detected early.

-Colorectal cancer is rising in young adults

-Young adults are the only population group experiencing an increase in colorectal cancer, and it's currently the deadliest cancer among young men and the second deadliest among young women.

-Treatment options vary for individuals, but can include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and other therapies

Factors contributing to an increase in early onset colon cancer (before age 45)

-A diet high in processed foods and red meats

-Obesity

-Alcohol consumption

-Sedentary behavior

-Chemicals in the environment

-Antibiotic use

The Colorectal Cancer Alliance has numerous resources for people interested in learning more about screening, prevention, treatment options and support.

Resources:

https://colorectalcancer.org/

https://www.aacr.org/patients-caregivers/awareness-months/colorectal-cancer-awareness-month/

Ashley McKillop, DNP, FNP-C is a board-certified family nurse practitioner with extensive experience treating gastroenterology and hepatology patients. She is a highly experienced practitioner, providing care for a variety of conditions, including IBD, IBS, GERD, gastroparesis, gallbladder disease, autoimmune disorders, fatty liver disease and hepatitis.

Ashley received her RN degree from Santa Barbara City College and went on to earn her Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Sacred Heart University. Ashley received her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Arizona State University.

Ashley is passionate about preventing chronic disease. She strongly believes that it is important to explore ways to improve her patients’ overall health by improving their gut health. In her free time, Ashley enjoys traveling and hiking, traveling, cooking and being with family.

If you’d like to schedule an appointment with Ashley, click here: Ashley McKillop, DNP, FNP-C | Gastroenterology | Louisville, CO | AdventHealth