173: Dr. Ben Evans is a colon cancer expert | colonoscopy | stool-based tests | rectal bleeding | polyps

The average age in which people are diagnosed with colon cancer continues to drop.  Louisville-based gastroenterologist Ben Evans, MD says for decades the conventional wisdom was that one should begin getting screened for colon cancer at age 50.  Now, he says you should learn your family history with colon cancer and colon polyps, and with that as your guide, you should start screening as early as your twenties.  Dr. Evans says that while the colonoscopy remains the gold standard for colon screening, there are stool-based testing alternatives that can be done in the privacy of your home.  However, he notes that if one of the home-based tests reveal a positive result, you will need to undergo a colonoscopy.   Intense research has yet to come up with an answer as to why those being diagnosed with colon cancer are getting increasingly younger.  Dr. Evans says the mortality rate for those diagnosed with cancer continues to climb while to varying degrees, the mortality rate is dropping for all other types of cancer.   In addition to checking your family history with colon cancer, you can help yourself by living a healthy lifestyle.  Dr. Evans suggests quitting smoking, reducing alcohol intake and consumption of processed foods, while being sure to load up on fruits and vegetables.   Dr. Evans says you should be aware of colon cancer symptoms.  They include bloody stool, rectal bleeding and abdominal pain.  If any of these symptoms materialize, he says you should not leave anything to chance and seek medical attention.   Additional Resources: Support Group: The Colon Cancer Prevention Project: https://www.coloncancerpreventionproject.org