A Routine Screening That Could Save Your Life

Feb 27, 2013 9:35am

Katie?s Take

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and Katie Couric wants you to get screened! After losing her husband, Jay Monahan, to colon cancer in 1998, Couric co-founded The Jay Monahan Center for Gastrointestinal Health in New York City. The clinic focuses on prevention, diagnosis, treatment and support for people suffering from gastrointestinal cancers.

Katie met with the Director of the Jay Monahan Center, Dr. Felice Schnoll-Sussman, to talk about the importance of getting screened, and about the center?s ?Make That Call? campaign ? which urges people 50 and older to get screened.

Of cancers that affect both men and women, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States.? In 2013, 143,000 people will be diagnosed and 50,000 will not survive the disease. The statistics are startling, especially considering that the disease is preventable. The key is early detection through proper screening.

Everyone over the age of 50 should get screened. This is not to say that the disease does not affect people under 50, and so people should be aware of the symptoms of colorectal cancer. If you are experiencing bloating, unexpected weight gain, change in bowel habits, or blood in your stool, it is time to make an appointment. The screening is simple, painless and can be life-saving.

For more information, visit www.makethatcall.org. Katie and Dr. Schnoll-Sussman urge you to ?Make that Call? and get your screening today!

Source: http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/health/2013/02/27/a-routine-screening-that-could-save-your-life/

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