To recognize March as Colorectal (Colon) Cancer Awareness Month, The Coastal Cancer Center at Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital is sponsoring a FREE lecture to educate the public about colorectal cancer, its treatment and prevention.
The lecture, "Colorectal Cancer: Is it Preventable?" is scheduled for Thursday March 6 at 7 p.m. in the Health Education building at Sentara Virginia Beach General Hospital. Juan Gelpi, M.D., Surgeon, will be the featured speaker. A dietitian and an oncology nurse will be on hand to answer questions, and free colorectal pre-screening kits will be distributed.
The lecture is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served.
Colorectal cancer is the second deadliest cancer in the United States and the third most common form of cancer. The best way to prevent colorectal cancer is to understand your risks and modify those risk factors that are within your control -- such as diet and exercise. As with most cancers, the key to survival is early detection - colorectal cancer is most treatable in its earliest stages.
Risk factors for colon cancer include:
* Age - approximately 90% of colon cancer patients are over the age of 50;
* People with a personal history of colon cancer or chronic inflammatory bowel disease;
* People with a strong family history (parent/siblings) of colon cancer, polyps or any cancer;
* People who are physically inactive;
* People who eat high-fat, low-fiber diets;
* Tobacco users.