March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, making it a good time to talk about something many people tend to put off: paying attention to symptoms, understanding risk, and staying on top of recommended screening conversations.
Colorectal cancer affects the colon or rectum and is one of the most common cancers in the United States. The encouraging news is that when it is detected early, treatment outcomes can improve significantly. That is why awareness and timely medical evaluation are so important.
One of the challenges with colorectal cancer is that it may not cause noticeable symptoms in its earliest stages. Many people feel completely normal and assume everything is fine. For this reason, regular screening and paying attention to changes in your body can play an important role in early detection.
Health organizations currently recommend that adults ages 45 to 75 talk with their healthcare provider about colorectal cancer screening. For some people, screening may begin earlier depending on personal risk factors or family history.
In addition to routine screening, it is important to recognize potential warning signs. Symptoms that should not be ignored include:
• Changes in bowel habits that last more than a few days
• Rectal bleeding
• Blood in the stool
• Persistent abdominal pain or cramping
• Weakness or fatigue
• Unexplained weight loss
These symptoms do not always mean cancer, but they should be discussed with your healthcare provider to determine whether further evaluation is needed.
While screening often involves tests such as colonoscopy or stool-based testing, imaging may also become an important part of the diagnostic process. If symptoms are present or if cancer has already been identified, physicians may order CT or PET/CT scans to gather more information.
These imaging tools can help physicians evaluate what is happening inside the body and may assist with diagnosis, staging, treatment planning, and monitoring response to therapy.
At Bluegrass Regional Imaging, we believe patient education is an important part of healthcare. Understanding when to speak with your doctor and when additional imaging may be needed can help patients feel more informed and empowered when making decisions about their health.
Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month is an opportunity to encourage conversations about prevention, screening, and paying attention to symptoms. If you are 45 or older, have a family history of colorectal cancer, or are experiencing symptoms that do not feel normal for you, it may be a good time to talk with your healthcare provider about next steps.
Taking action early can make a meaningful difference.
Disclaimer:
This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please contact your healthcare provider if you need medical assistance or have concerns about symptoms or screening. All services or procedures mentioned may or may not be performed at Bluegrass Regional Imaging.
