Fighting Colorectal Cancer With Advances in Colonoscopy
Fighting Colorectal Cancer With Advances in Colonoscopy
As a gastroenterologist, I was greatly encouraged recently to see the lifesaving value of colorectal cancer screening vividly documented by new American Cancer Society data, which showed a 30% drop in colorectal cancer incidence rates in the past decade among adults aged 50 years and older, attributed largely to colonoscopy. But I was reinvigorated to hear about further possible advances in colonoscopy at Digestive Disease Week (DDW), the world's largest gathering of physicians and researchers in the fields of gastroenterology, hepatology, endoscopy, and gastrointestinal surgery.
Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in the United States among men and women combined, killing approximately 50,000 people each year. However, the disease is largely preventable with regular screening and can be effectively treated when detected early. The more we learn about colonoscopy -- the only procedure that can both detect and prevent cancer -- the more we realize what an incredible tool it is.
Saving Lives With Colorectal Cancer Screening
As a gastroenterologist, I was greatly encouraged recently to see the lifesaving value of colorectal cancer screening vividly documented by new American Cancer Society data, which showed a 30% drop in colorectal cancer incidence rates in the past decade among adults aged 50 years and older, attributed largely to colonoscopy. But I was reinvigorated to hear about further possible advances in colonoscopy at Digestive Disease Week (DDW), the world's largest gathering of physicians and researchers in the fields of gastroenterology, hepatology, endoscopy, and gastrointestinal surgery.
Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in the United States among men and women combined, killing approximately 50,000 people each year. However, the disease is largely preventable with regular screening and can be effectively treated when detected early. The more we learn about colonoscopy -- the only procedure that can both detect and prevent cancer -- the more we realize what an incredible tool it is.
