McLeod Gastroenterologists Dr. Timothy Spurling and Dr. Deepak Chowhary encourage people 50 and over to be screened for colon cancer. The physicians are pictured with the Endoscopy team at McLeod Regional Medical Center.

McLeod Gastroenterologists and the Endoscopy team at McLeod Regional Medical Center want to raise the public’s awareness of colorectal cancer, the fourth most common cancer at McLeod and in the United States as well as the second leading cause of death from cancer.

Colorectal cancer affects all racial and ethnic groups and is most often found in people ages 50 and older. The best way to prevent colorectal cancer is to get screened regularly starting at age 50.

There are often no signs or symptoms of colorectal cancer – that is why it is so important to get screened. People over age 50 have the highest risk of colorectal cancer. You may also be at higher risk if you are African American, smoke, or have a family history of colorectal cancer.

To determine your estimated risk for developing colorectal cancer, the National Cancer Institute offers this interactive risk assessment tool:https://www.cancer.gov/colorectalcancerrisk/