Colorectal Cancer Screening: Things To Know Before You Turn 50

Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Jacob Sippel | JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Aug. 17, 2017) – Capt. John Bassett, a gastroenterology physician at Naval Hospital Jacksonville, educates a patient during a colonoscopy screening. Of cancers affecting both men and women, colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer killer in the U.S. People age 50 and over should get a colorectal screening test now. Screening can find growths so they can be removed before turning into cancer. (U.S. Navy photo by Jacob Sippel, Naval Hospital Jacksonville/Released).  

JACKSONVILLE, FL, UNITED STATES

08.24.2017

Story by Yan Kennon 

Naval Hospital Jacksonville

Screening for colon cancer helps save lives. It’s never too early to talk with your primary care manager about colon cancer screening and testing.

Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer worldwide. Despite a reduction in incidence over the years, it’s still the second leading cancer killer of men and women in the U.S.

Cancer is characterized by an uncontrolled growth of cells beyond their usual boundaries that can invade adjoining parts of the body and spread to other organs.

Colorectal cancer screening should begin at age 50 for average-risk people, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. If you have risk factors (like a fist-degree relative with colorectal cancer), you might need to be tested earlier or more often.

Colonoscopy is the preferred method for screening (every 10 years). Colonoscopy uses a long, thin, flexible, lighted tube to check for polyps or cancer inside the rectum and the entire colon. It can also be used for treatment (allowing for the removal of benign polyps).

Other methods include: occult blood testing (yearly), flexible sigmoidoscopy (every five years), and CT colonography (every five years).

Test results can take two to four weeks or more.

Make an appointment with your PCM by phone [phone] at our hospital, or 904-546-7094 at Branch Health Clinic Jacksonville for active duty), or at TRICARE’s Online Patient Portal at www.TRICAREonline.com.

For 24/7 clinical advice, call the Nurse Advice Line at 800-TRICARE (800-874-2273).

For secure email messaging with your care team (for non-urgent issues), sign up for free at https://mil.RelayHealth.com.

To view your care team’s PCMs, visit our website at www.med.navy.mil/sites/navalhospitaljax, click on Medical Home Port, and click on each team.

Naval Hospital Jacksonville's priority since its founding in 1941 is to heal the nation's heroes and their families. The command is comprised of the Navy's third largest hospital and five branch health clinics across Florida and Georgia. Of its patient population (163,000 active and retired sailors, soldiers, Marines, airmen, guardsmen, and their families), about 85,000 are enrolled with a primary care manager and Medical Home Port team at one of its facilities. To find out more or download the command’s mobile app, visit www.med.navy.mil/sites/navalhospitaljax.

• Date Taken: 08.24.2017
• Date Posted: 08.24.2017 10:35
• Story ID: 245824
• Location: JACKSONVILLE, FL, US