Beard for a Cause
- Dean Banowetz, also known as the “Hollywood Hair Guy,” lost his best friend and assistant to colon cancer in January. To help her family with expenses, he raised $30,000 by winning the Guinness World Record for Most Bobby Pins in a Beard.
- Colorectal cancer is a type of cancer that affects your large intestine (colon) or the end of your intestine (rectum). It is the third most common cancer in both men and women in the United States.
- Regular screening is one of the best ways to prevent polyps from turning into full-blown colon cancer.
Banowetz lost his friend and personal assistant, Meagan Schaaf, last January due to a battle with colon cancer. She had a husband and two daughters under the age of four. In order to help her family with finances for the future, he set out to raise funds by participating in a beard competition to see how many bobby pins could be placed in his beard. To help with this venture, he paired up with 10-time Guinness World Record holder Joel Strasser, who lost a dear friend to colorectal cancer this past year as well and had two children. He and Joel decided to compete against one another for a good cause and some friendly competition.
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Colon Cancer: An Overview
Colon cancer is a type of cancer that affects your large intestine (colon) or the end of your intestine (rectum). It’s also ca be referred to as colorectal cancer. It is the third most common cancer in both me and women in the United States. At the moment it’s unknown what exactly causes the disease, but there are factors which can make you at higher risk. These factors include diet, smoking tobacco, drinking alcohol, and whether you have a family history of the disease.
Related: Common Misconceptions About Colon Cancer
The cancer starts when abnormal lumps called polyps grow in the colon or rectum. If these polyps aren’t removed, they can sometimes change into cancer over time. Most of the time, it takes up to 10 years for a colon polyp to become a full-blown cancer, so it’s important to be vigilant about possible symptoms. Once you get screened for the disease in time, the polyps will be able to be removed before they can become cancerous.
The most common symptom of colon cancer is a change in bowel movements. This can range from constipation, diarrhea, or the color of your bowel movements. Other symptoms can be difficult to recognize, which can include abdominal pain and unexplained weight loss.
Dr. Zuri Murrell explains how you can lower your risk of colon cancer
Colon Cancer: Screening
Regular screening is one of the best ways to prevent polyps from turning into full-blown colon cancer. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recently drafted new recommended guidelines which state colon cancer screenings should begin at 45-years-old. This is in response to the increase we are seeing of colon cancer diagnoses in younger adults. In the past, the disease had predominantly been found in adults 50-years or older, but for those predisposed to get it at a younger age, these new guidelines could potentially help catch it at an earlier stage.
The best and most complete way of screening is a colonoscopy every 10 years. In general, you should get your first colonoscopy at age 45 but the guidelines differ depending on your risk category. If you have a close relative who had colon cancer, a rule of thumb is to get screened 10 years prior to their age of diagnosis to make sure any growths or cancers are caught early.
Dr. Heather Yeo breaks down colon cancer screening guidelines
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