Colon Cancer Screenings Are Crucial
- TODAY host Craig Melvin is showing the crucial importance of colon cancer screenings in a new interview with kindergarten teacher Mariela Del Valle, who admitted she canceled her colonoscopy three times out of fear.
- The New York City-based mother of one finally went through with the fourth appointment and found out she had colon cancer at 40 years old.
- Colon cancer is now affecting much younger people, which is why the guidelines have recently changed. People with an increased risk, including a family history, should begin screening at 45 or sooner, but speak with your doctor for when is best for you.
The Bronx, New York native, a mother of a teenage son, finally went through with the fourth appointment and found out she had colon cancer at 40 years old.
Read MoreMarch is Colorectal Cancer Awareness month. @craigmelvin is sharing a look at a new push for cancer screenings. pic.twitter.com/8moHiVjj3R
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) March 8, 2024
Melvin concluded the segment with heartwarming news that Mariela’s son Noah, after seeing what his mom has gone through, has now decided he wants to become a cancer doctor.
Mariela has a scan coming up and hopes to be completely cancer-free.
Craig Melvin Has Been Personally Affected by Colon Cancer
Craig Melvin has been a dedicated advocate for colon cancer ever since his older brother Lawrence died from the disease in 2021 at 43 years old. Lawrence put up a four-year fight after doctors found and removed a baseball-sized tumor that had already spread.
The family was understandably in shock when Lawrence was diagnosed at 39 and very healthy otherwise. “He wasn’t a drinker, he wasn’t a smoker, and played football in college,” Melvin had shared.
Colon cancer rocked our family after my brother Lawrence was diagnosed. He lost his battle in December. It is my family’s mission to raise awareness. Today, my younger brother @RyanMelvin2 was brave enough to get a colonoscopy on @TODAYshow Proud of you.💙https://t.co/qwohBQHje0
— Craig Melvin (@craigmelvin) March 5, 2021
To their knowledge, the disease was not in their genetics. Then they started asking questions, and found out they happened to have a pretty extensive family history of the disease. “All of a sudden you find out we do have a family history. We didn’t talk about it,” he reiterated.
An Advocacy Mission for Colon Cancer
The broadcaster sat down with SurvivorNet in a previous interview to discuss colon cancer awareness and the importance of knowing your family history.
“One of the things that we found out after my brother was diagnosed is that there was, in fact, a family history of colorectal cancer. It didn’t come up until we started asking questions … that’s the case in many families.” Melvin shared. “People don’t like talking about their colons or their rectums or blood in their stool. These aren’t conversations that families have.”
A Message to SurvivorNet from Craig Melvin
“When you start to have conversations like that with family members and family history becomes apparent … then that leads to other conversations with primary care physicians,” he said. “If one person does it and goes to their primary care physician, who then refers them to someone and they get a colonoscopy and they find something, we may have saved one life.”
Like Mariela, people are often anxious about the prospect of a colonoscopy, which may lead them to ignore symptoms. SurvivorNet’s medical experts say “you shouldn’t die from embarrassment.” Sometimes it’s necessary for doctors and for people like Melvin to rattle cages in order to make a difference.
Learning About Colon Cancer
Colon cancer affects the large intestine (colon), or the end of the intestine (rectum); a doctor may call this type “colorectal cancer.” The cancer begins when lumps called “polyps” grow in the colon or rectum.
Without removal, the polyps may turn into cancer. The process of polyps turning into cancer can take up to 10 years; regular screenings are important so that your doctor can see if you have any polyps forming, and if so, they can be removed.
Looking for Polyps During Colonoscopy
Risk factors like smoking, alcohol consumption, and diet, can all play a part in the development of colon cancer.
People with a family history of the disease may be considered high risk for colon cancer, and should thus begin screening for the disease earlier at 45 or even sooner, depending on your health situation.
What Are the Symptoms?
Here are some symptoms to look out for, though it’s possible to have no symptoms or very subtle signs, which is why colonoscopies are so important.
1. Change in Bowel Habits
It’s important to be mindful of your bowel habits and note any changes. Frequency of bowel movement varies from person to person. While some may poop three times per week, others may poop three times per day.
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While there is a varying spectrum of “normal” bowel patterns, you should be on the lookout for anything that is outside of your personal normal. You should also pay attention to any change in the caliber, or size, of your stool. If your stool looks unusually thin, this may be a cause for concern.
Any major change could signal an internal issue, and should be paid attention to. Note that changes in diet, hydration, and more, can also lead to change in bowel habits.
2. Change in Stool Color
Stool color is influenced by what you eat, and comes in a range of colors, says the Mayo Clinic. If your stool is bright red or black, you should seek prompt medical attention. This could be indicative of a serious issue that may pertain to colon cancer.
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Non-brown stools may be the result of food moving through the large intestine too quickly (this happens with diarrhea). In this instance, your poop will likely be green. If your poop is light-colored or white, it may be the result of lack of bile (a yellow-green fluid that digests fats), and you should seek medical care.
3. Pain in the Abdomen
Abdominal pain can be a symptom of colon cancer. If you’re experiencing unusual pain in the abdomen region, and it’s not related to a menstrual cycle, you may want to consult with a doctor.
4. Unexpected Weight Loss
If you’ve shed some pounds lately and the weight loss was unintentional, this may be cause for concern. Disregarding factors like stress and worry which can lead to diet changes, and thus, weight loss if you are losing weight and you don’t know why, consult your doctor.
5. Anemia
Be on the lookout for increased feelings of being tired or weak; this subtle change in energy may be the result of anemia. Anemia is a condition in which a person lacks healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen to the body’s tissues. If you suspect you may have anemia which can be caused by iron deficiency (this is the most common type of anemia), vitamin deficiency, and more you should consult a physician. Anemia can be one symptom of colon or colorectal cancer.
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