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Get Your Rear in Gear: Colon Cancer Awareness and Prevention

My Story

In 2008, my stepfather Jim was rushed to the hospital with severe abdominal pain. What we originally thought was food poisoning turned out to be the unthinkable: stage 4 colon cancer. Jim was only 49 years old.

Only later did we learn that Jim had a family history of colon cancer. Had he known this information and been screened, the cancer could have been prevented entirely. Jim’s entire family was screened for colon cancer, and pre-cancerous polyps were found in two additional family members! These screenings may have saved their lives.

Since Jim’s diagnosis, I have learned that colon cancer is 100% preventable through regular screenings, knowing your family history, and living a healthy lifestyle. My mission is to encourage all Minnesotans to “Get Your Rear in Gear” to prevent colon cancer!

About Colon Cancer

Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death in both men and women in the United States. This year, nearly 150,000 men and women will be diagnosed with this type of cancer. Colon cancer makes up 72 percent of all colorectal cancers.

When colon cancer is diagnosed at an early sage, the relative 5-year survival rate is about 90 percent! However, only 4 out of 10 cases are detected at that early stage. 60 percent of colorectal cancers are found after the cancer has spread, when the odds of survival decrease dramatically. Once the cancer has spread to distant organs, the relative five-year survival rate is only 11 percent.

Preventing Colon Cancer: What to Do Right Now!

If detected at a late stage, colon cancer is nearly always fatal. Prevention and early detection are vital to ensure that fewer people develop the disease. Although some risk factors, like genetics and age, cannot be controlled, there are many easy steps we can take to prevent colon cancer:

• Know your family history! If your family has a history of colon cancer, make sure to get screened by age 40, or 10 years before the age at which someone in your family was diagnosed—whichever is earlier.
• Get screened regularly! Talk to your doctor about a screening schedule that is right for you. Most people with an average risk of colon cancer should be screened at age 50, and every 5-10 years thereafter. Screenings are quick, and new non-invasive “virtual screenings” are available in many cases.
• Eat healthy foods! Diets with plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and vitamins help prevent many types of cancer. Alcohol use should be in moderation (no more than 1 drink per day for women or 2 drinks per day for men).
• Get moving! Exercise can help you control your weight and help prevent cancer when paired with a healthy diet.

Learn More

For more information on the fight against colon cancer, please visit the resources page.