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00:17Colon cancer or colorectal cancer is a cancer which originates from the large intestine, also known as your large bowel
00:24or rectum.
00:25Now it starts as a very tiny growth, which we call polyps, and over time these polyps can slowly grow
00:32and turn into cancer.
00:34The good news is we can search for these little polyps early on and prevent colon cancer from happening later
00:41on.
00:42Although the disease has long been associated with older adults, Dr. Anoushka Ramkissoun says she is now seeing a troubling
00:50rise in younger patients.
00:52Globally, it's the second most common cancer in both men and women.
00:57In Trinidad, it's the second most common cancer in men, third most common cancer in women.
01:03The more alarming thing, however, is that colon cancer is no longer what we consider a disease of older people.
01:09We're actually seeing a rise in colon cancer in young people, meaning people less than age 50.
01:15She says routine screening can detect polyps before they develop into cancer.
01:21Available screening methods include an annual FIT stool test and a colonoscopy, which allows doctors to examine the colon and
01:29remove polyps during the procedure.
01:32But even before the recommended screening age of 45, certain symptoms should never be ignored.
01:38Blood in your stool is never a normal sign unless it's investigated.
01:42A lot of patients assume, oh, it's just a hemorrhoid I have.
01:46And, you know, with this rise in colon cancer, younger people always get it investigated.
01:50Always ask your GP or mention it to your GP and let them refer you on to a gastroenterologist so
01:56that you can be properly investigated.
01:59Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can also help lower the risk of developing colon cancer.
02:04Dr. Ramkissoun recommended eating a diet rich in fiber, fruits and vegetables, exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, avoid smoking,
02:15limiting alcohol consumption, and cutting back on highly processed foods.
02:20And while a diagnosis can be frightening, she stresses that colon cancer is highly treatable when courtly.
02:27One misconception is that patients hear, oh, you have colon cancer, that this is a death sentence.
02:32And that is not true.
02:33It all depends.
02:34If we pick it up very early, then it can be completely cured.
02:37I am Charlotte Kisto with tonight's Health Watch.
02:40Dr. Ramkissown
02:42Dr. Ramkissown
02:42Dr. Ramkissown
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