Protecting against colon cancer

GUILFORD, Conn. (WTNH) -- March is colon cancer awareness month; the third most common cancer diagnosed in men and women.

It's estimated that this year, it could kill more than 50,000 Americans. 

Colonoscopy is recommended for people at 50 years old, but only 50 to 60 percent of them are actually having it done. And that comes on the heels of a trend that has doctors worried.   

If Rebecca Grunza was not a gastrointestinal nurse at Yale-New Haven Shoreline Medical Center she says, "I probably would thought, oh this was nothing." 

Her colon cancer diagnosis would have been far more critical.

"If I wasn't aware of the very, you know, a little bleeding, a little change in bowel habits, something that we may ignore, it could have progressed to stage four," Grunza said.  

Doctors at the Shoreline Endoscopy Center discovered her cancerous polyps after she had a colonoscopy.

"It's growing in a circular way," Grunza said. "You insert this flexible tube, which you can steer with a miniature camera in the end through the rectum."

Patients like Grunza are a growing concern for Medical Director, Dr. Myron Brand.

"I was 42 when I was diagnosed," Grunza said. "I have no family history of colon cancer."

"That is the 40 to 50-year-old group seem to be rising as compared to everyone else that is going down," said Dr. Brand.

"Why is that," asked News 8's Jocelyn Maminta.

"We don't know, perhaps something in the environment, food additives, we don't know," said Dr. Brand.

What Dr. Brand does know is that overall, colonoscopy has led to a decreasing number of colon cancer cases and deaths.

The screening is recommended for people at 50 years old, and earlier for those with a family history. Knowing the symptoms is key for all.

"Any change of bowel habits or rectal bleeding ought to be brought to attention to your physician," said Dr. Brand.

Only about 60 percent of people get the routine screening. The hope is more awareness and an intolerable cleansing process for some, now more tolerable, will encourage folks to get it done.

"It's not a difficult test, it's a nice sleep," said Grunza.

"These small bottles are taken about six hours apart," said Dr. Brand.

For this mom of two girls, it was a life saver.

"I caught it in time, I got it out," Grunza said, "I did the chemo I needed to do and hopefully it's not coming back."

To help people with no insurance, the Shoreline Medical Center offers no-cost colonoscopy throughout the year.

For more information on no-cost colonoscopies, visit www.ctgastro.com or call 203-777-0304.

For more information on Shoreline Medical Center, visit http://www.ynhh.org/medical-services/shoreline-medical-center.aspx