PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — The best way to treat colon cancer is to catch it early, which is why a colonoscopy is such an important procedure.
Doctors can visualize outgrowths in the colon called polyps and remove them. This is important because some can grow into colon cancer, so removing them can be lifesaving.
What about younger people who are not routinely screened with a colonoscopy for colon cancer? A new article in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute highlights so-called red flag symptoms, including stomach pain, rectal bleeding, diarrhea and anemia.
Remember, there are many other reasons for each of these, but it is definitely worth talking to your doctor if you have these red-flag symptoms.
Get more medical reports from Dr. Brian McDonough.
KYW Newsradio's Medical Reports are sponsored by Independence Blue Cross.
