Talking Colon Care with TidalHealth

SEAFORD, Del. – In this week’s Health Beat, brought to you by TidalHealth, WMDT spoke with Kevin Forsyth, FNP-C, a nurse practitioner with TidalHealth’s gastroenterology department.

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the United States, and the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the country. Yet, it’s one of the most preventable cancers. Forsyth tells us that keeping up with yearly screenings is key to preventing a cancer diagnosis.

“The CDC estimates that 68 percent of all colorectal cancer deaths could be prevented if those who are eligible just got their screenings… But only 61% of people in the United States are actually up to date,” Forsyth said. “You should start screening at 45, but the most important reason to get screened is because most often colorectal cancer does not have symptoms at all.”

If symptoms are present, they do typically include things like rectal bleeding, blood in or on the stool, black or tarry stools, unexplained weight loss and fatigue. One thing doctors look for in their screenings are colon polyps, small growths that can indicate early signs of colorectal cancer. If you have a first degree family relative that has had colon cancer, you should be sure to talk to your doctor about getting screened earlier. Increasing rates of cancer have been found in the age group of 20 to 49 years.

Forsyth also told us that the best ways to prevent colon cancer, other than keeping up with screenings, is to have a diet high in fruits, vegetables and fiber, avoiding things like processed and red meat.

If you’d like to learn more about gastroenterology, get a referral from your primary care provider to visit TidalHealth Gastroenterology in Seaford.