The OSU Medical Center is especially focused on preventing the disease of colon cancer. Colorectal cancer, or colon cancer, is the second-leading cancer killer in the United States and the fourth worldwide. more than 143,000 new cases of cancers of the colon or rectum are expected in the U.S. this year and it is estimated that 52,000 people will die from it, according to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention. however, if more people were regularly screened for this cancer, at least 60 percent of deaths from colon cancer could be avoided.

People age 50 and older should be regularly screened for colon cancer. Screenings can find polyps in the colon or rectum. these polyps, if undetected, can lead to colon cancer. if polyps are found during a screening they can be removed before they turn into cancer. Early detection of polyps or cancer is important, and, if found early, the chance of being cured is good.

David James D.O., F.a.C.G., is director of the Endoscopy Center at OSUMC and professor of medicine at OSU-CHS. he explains that there are different screening tests used to find polyps or colon cancer. “The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends colon cancer screenings for men and women age 50 and older using high-sensitivity fecal occult blood testing (FOBT), sigmoidosocopy or colonoscopy. It’s important to talk to your doctor about these screenings. Most insurance plans and Medicare help pay for colon cancer screening tests,” says James.

The American Cancer Society has reported that only half of Americans aged 50 or older have received a screening for colon cancer. if everyone was screened as recommended, thousands of lives could be saved each year. Pre-cancerous polyps and early-stage colon cancer do not always have symptoms, especially at first. That’s why screenings are important to keep colon cancer away.

If you’d like to hear more about Colon Cancer and assess the risks, come to a FREE Community Talk entitled: “Am I at Risk for Colon Cancer” by Dr. David James. the talk will be Thursday, March 29th at 6 p.m. in the OSUMC Auditorium. Free blood pressure checks will be at 5:30 p.m. that evening. To register for the talk, call 918-560-8055.

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