CityView Magazine

44 March 2022 Dr. Annamaneni listed six steps to lowering the risks of colorectal cancer: • Eat plenty of fiber, between 20 to 35 grams of fiber each day, from fruits, vegetables, whole grain bread and cereals, nuts and beans. • Eat a low-fat diet. • Eat foods with folate, such as green vegetables. • Do not drink excessive alcohol or smoke. If you use alcohol, drink in moderation. If you use tobacco, quit. If you do not use tobacco, do not start. • Exercise for at least 20 minutes, three to four days each week. Moderate exercise, such as walking, gardening or climbing steps may help reduce your risk. • Get regular colorectal cancer screening, such as a colonoscopy, beginning at age 45. Earlier if you have personal or family history. A colonoscopy is usually performed as an outpatient procedure under sedation. Preparation for the procedure includes emptying the colon by drinking liquid laxatives, the taste of which has improved in recent years. During the procedure, polyps can be detected and removed at the same time, thus preventing them from becoming cancerous. While at-home tests are growing in popularity due to patients being able to use them on their own in a convenient setting, Dr. Annamaneni advises that colonoscopies are more accurate tests. "People should remember that the gold standard for colon cancer screenings is still a colonoscopy," Dr. Annamaneni said. "At- home tests are close to 90 percent accurate, but there are false positives. And a positive reading will necessitate a colonoscopy to confirm." Dr. Annamaneni said a diagnosis of colorectal cancer requires first determining its stage to see whether it is confined to the colon and rectum or advanced, which means it has spread to lymph nodes and other organs. e staging, he said, is done by blood tests, CT scan, MRI and PET scan. "Surgery is the best weapon to treat localized colon cancer," Dr. Annamaneni said. "e cure rates drop to 50 percent or less when diagnosed in the later stages. For advanced cancers, chemotherapy and radiation are necessary treatments as well." Approximately 4.4 percent of men and 4.1 percent of women will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer in their lifetime. According to the American Cancer Society, the risk of colorectal cancer goes up as you age. ough younger adults can get colorectal cancer, but it's much more common aer age 50. Colorectal cancer is rising among people who are younger than age 50, and the reason remains unclear. Dr. Annamaneni said this is particularly true among African Americans "If you have symptoms, like blood in stool, change in bowel habits and weight loss," he said, "call your doctor for an appointment. Early detection is the key!" Cape Fear Valley Health Chief of Surgery Ravinder Annamaneni, MD

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