Dr. Mackowski Highlights the Importance of Colorectal Cancer Screenings
Dr. Michael Mackowski, general and vascular surgeon at Aurora BayCare Medical Center, was recently featured on FOX 11 Field House, where he shared important insights about colorectal cancer screenings.
Who’s at Risk?
While adults over age 45 are at the highest risk, several other factors may increase a person’s likelihood of developing colorectal cancer:
- Family history of colorectal cancer
- Pre-cancerous polyps in the colon
- Ulcerative colitis
- Crohn’s disease
- Diets high in animal fat and low in calcium
Colonoscopy: The Gold Standard
Dr. Mackowski refers to colonoscopies as the “gold standard” for screenings. He adds: “... there are other options available to you, but you really ought to talk with your health care provider about what's right for you.”
Early Detection Can Save Lives
He also emphasizes the life-saving potential of early detection: “Screening is not only diagnostic, we can tell if someone has cancer ... but, removal of cancerous polyps or precancerous polyps can sometimes prevent it from occurring at all.
When Should You Start Screening?
People with higher risk factors may need to begin screenings earlier and more frequently. For adults 45 and older, Aurora BayCare’s digestive health team makes it easy to schedule a colonoscopy directly.
Watch the full segment here. For more info, visit Colonoscopy | Aurora Health Care.