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Dr. Faris Murad
Screening prevents death from colorectal cancer
- Screening for average risk patients begins at age 50 for Caucasians
- Screening begins at age 40 to 45 for African-Americans
- Screening begins earlier for people at higher-risk—IBD, family history
- If no cancer or polyps, people get screened every 10 years
HOW TO MINIMIZE RISK OF DEVELOPING COLORECTAL CANCER
- Eat a healthy diet—rich in fiber such as fruits, vegetables and grains
- Exercise regularly
- Don’t smoke
- Participate in colorectal cancer screening
PROMISING OUTCOMES WITH COLONOSCOPY SCREENING
- Colorectal cancer is highly preventable thanks to early detection and colonoscopy screening
- If caught early during Stage 1 cancer, the chance of recovery is as high as 90% at five years
