The importance of regular screening for cancer has been in the news quite a bit lately with breast cancer awareness month in October. One of the most memorable events for many Americans was seeing Amy Robach of ABC News undergo a mammogram on live TV. She reluctantly agreed to participate in this televised procedure when a colleague convinced her that it was an opportunity to help save lives by encouraging screening for early cancer detection. She didn’t imagine that the life she saved would be her own.

Fast Facts from the National Cancer Institute:

• About 20% of Americans will develop skin cancer during their lifetime. More than 2 million patients in the U.S. are diagnosed annually.

• More than 12% of women will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in their lifetime. Over 2.8 million women are currently living with breast cancer in the United States.

• More than 15% of men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer at some point in their lifetime. Over 2.6 million men are currently living with prostate cancer in the United States.

• Approximately 7% of men and women will be diagnosed with lung and bronchus cancer during their lifetime. Almost 400,000 people are currently living with these cancers in the U.S.

• About 5% of Americans will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer during their lifetime. More than 1 million people in the U.S. are currently living with colon cancer.

Screening for Colon Cancer Is Common Sense

With each of these cancers, the appropriate age for cancer screening varies depending on risk factors such as family medical history. With colonoscopy, the typical age to get a first screening is 50 (45 for African Americans). When polyps are detected early, these growths can be removed easily before they become cancerous. In fact, most patients don’t have to get a scary cancer diagnosis at all. They simply find out that they were smart to get screened before they developed colon cancer.

Visit Your Beverly Hills GI Doctor for This Test

Ms. Robach was right about one thing. Cancer screening tests aren’t as uncomfortable as many people assume. There’s no reason to ignore the doctor’s advice or delay getting a routine screening such as a colonoscopy.  Los Angeles patients don’t deal with being on national TV during their procedure! They get to relax in a private treatment room where the only live video feed goes to the colonoscope Dr. Berookim uses to conduct a thorough examination. To schedule your consultation today, call 310.271.1122.