Mayor Declares April Colonoscopy Month

Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States, behind lung cancer. However, it also happens to be one of the most curable forms of cancer—if caught early enough. The chance of beating colon cancer before it has time to spread is as high as 90 percent.

But warning signs and symptons rarely occur until the cancer is at a much more severe stage.

Manhattan Beach Mayor Mitch Ward is hoping to bring attention to the importance of regular colon screenings by declaring April "Colonoscopy Month."

"I guess I'm becoming the health-oriented mayor," said Ward at Tuesday's City Council meeting.

Screening methods have advanced dramatically in recent years, but the prevalance of the disease continues to be of major concern. Around 150,000 cases of colon cancer are diagnosed each year in the U.S. Nine percent of all cancer-related deaths are caused by colon cancer.

Cancer is particularly prone to affecting African-American males, Ward told members of the public. For every white male, 1.4 African-American men will die from cancer.

The screening method offering the highest chance of detecting colon cancer is the colonoscopy. This procedure, which is an endoscopic examination of the colon using a fiber optic camera, allows doctors to recognize inflamed tissue, ulcers, and abnormal growths. Patients are given a colon-cleansing solution prior to the exam, as well as a mild sedative.

The mayor recently experienced his own colon screening, and came out with a clean bill of health. "I thought the liquid that you drink was going to be awful," said Ward. "But it was not. They have flavors that you can put in—orange and pineapple."

"It's best to know," said Ward.

Men and women above the age of 50 should have a colonoscopy approximately every 10 years, although the frequency of the screening should be decided by a health care professional, according to the National Cancer Institute.

In February, Redondo Beach Councilman Steve Aspel was diagnosed with stage III colorectal cancer.

"Aspel is encouraging individuals to go out, if you're a male 50 years or older, to get a colonoscopy," explained Ward. "I just went through it. I hope that in the month of April we get men to go out and get their colonosopy."

"And women," added Councilwoman Portia Cohen.

At Tuesday's city council meeting, Ward also sported a purple-patterned tie given to him by the Pancreatic Awareness Network to draw attention to the need to screen and prevent pancreatic cancer. Cancer of the pancreas was responsible for 6 percent of cancer-related deaths in 2009.

"We need to know it, find it out, and end it," said Ward.