Be a Blue Buddy is a personal call to action with a mission to support patients, survivors, their families, friends and caregivers by creating one-on-one or group relationships and social gatherings; to raise awareness and educate our community about colorectal cancer; to share Grace De La Rosa's personal experience as a Stage 3(c) colon cancer patient and unwavering love of living a positive life. Grace is available for public speaking engagements. Colorectal Cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in both men and women combined in the U.S. But it's also one of the most preventable and treatable cancers--if it's caught early. Grace De La Rosa was 38 when she was diagnosed with Stage 3 colon cancer. No family history of cancer, veteran Navy pilot's wife at the time, mom of 2, swimwear model, fitness instructor and fitness competitor. Visit her online cancer journal at http://www.gracedelarosa.com/cancerjournal.html
Be a Blue Buddy: http://www.gracedelarosa.com/beabluebuddy.html
SYMPTOMS:
* Fatigue
* Anemia
* Gas, Bloating
* Constipation, a Feeling of Fullness
* Cramps, Nausea, Vomiting
* Unexplained Weight Loss
* Blood in or on Stool (red or black/tar-like)
* Change in Bowel Movement
* Change in Stool Consistency
* Narrow, Ribbon-Like Stools
* Sometimes, there are no symptoms at all
RISK FACTORS:
• Age 50+
• Family history of cancer
• Inflammatory bowel disease
o Ulcerative colitis
o Crohn's disease
• Genetic syndrome
o Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP)
o Lynch syndrome
• Lifestyle Choices
o Lack of exercise
o Diet high in fat and red meats
o Diet low in fiber
o Obesity
o Smoking
o Drinking
SCREENING METHODS:
Less Traumatic and Expensive than Undergoing Surgeries, Radiation or Chemotherapy
• Stool kit. Used to detect blood in stool. Can be obtained from your doctor or online. Low cost (about $25). Use in privacy of own home. Diet restrictions. Stool sample required. Must be sent back to doctor or lab for test results.
• EZ Detect kit. Can be purchased at your local drug store. Low cost (about $12). Use in privacy of your own home. No diet restrictions. No stool samples required. Immediate test results.
• Sigmoidoscopy. A thin, flexible scope with one camera used to detect pre-cancerous and cancerous polyps within the rectum and lower colon. Colon cleanse and sedation are used in the procedure.
• Colonoscopy. Similar to a sigmoidoscopy. Detects benign and malignant polyps within the rectum and the entire colon. Colon cleanse and sedation are used in the procedure.
• Fuse Endoscope. New technology! Uses 3 cameras vs. 1 as in colonoscopy. 69% more effective than standard colonoscopy. Colon cleanse and sedation are used in the procedure.
• Double Contrast Barium Enema X-Ray. X-ray images of the rectum and colon are taken after an enema of barium solution and air is introduced into the colon. The barium solution highlights the rectum and colon in the x-ray images. Colon cleanse is required, but sedation is not needed. Detects 30-50% of cancers that can be found with a standard colonoscopy.+
+Tests to Detect Colorectal Cancer and Polyps. National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health. Web. 26 Jan. 2014.
