Colon Cancer Screening - News

Colon Cancer

You may not know it, but Mississippi has the second-highest incidence of colorectal cancer in the U.S., for both men and women. The good news, though, is that at least half of all cases could be prevented through regular screening.

What is colon cancer?

Colon cancer is a cancer that starts in the lower part of the digestive system. It begins with small, noncancerous growths called polyps. Polyps can become cancerous over time.

Colon cancer screening can detect and remove these polyps before they turn into cancer, so screening can help prevent cancer.

Getting screened for colon cancer can stop it before it starts or find it early, when it is most treatable and most curable.

Who should get screened?

If you are fifty years old or older, or if you have a family history of colon cancer, you should talk to your family doctor right away about getting screened. He or she can refer you to a specialist called a gastroenterologist to get the screening done.

For more details

http://extension.msstate.edu/publications/information-sheets/colorectal-cancer-health-message

About the Dak Prescott Colon Cancer Screening Campaign

To increase the number of Mississippians being screened for colorectal cancer, concerned organizations have come together to create a public service campaign featuring Dak Prescott, the former Mississippi State star quarterback and this year’s NFL Rookie of the Year for the Dallas Cowboys.

As many Mississippians know, Dak’s mother died of colon cancer when he was just a sophomore in college. In these PSAs, Dak shares his story, in the hope of helping others to avoid the pain and loss that he, his mom, and his family endured.

The PSA campaign was developed by the 70 x 2020 Initiative, a consortium of current and retired physicians, faculty at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, and other concerned professionals and volunteers, with support from the American Cancer Society and the Mississippi State University Extension Service.