ATLANTA — Colorectal Cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death in men and women, and rates are rapidly increasing in young people, according to a new study released this week.
For Sandy Ingraham of Peachtree City, the diagnosis of Colorectal Cancer came during the COVID-19 pandemic. She didn’t think her symptoms pointed to cancer, but they persisted and she realized she needed to get to her doctor.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
Channel 2′s Karyn Greer talked to her this week about her frightening diagnosis.
The symptoms are hard to talk about, but doctors say more people need to know them.
“I had some rectal bleeding and at first I passed it off as it was probably just hemorrhoid and then a week and a half later, I noticed blood in my stool,” Ingraham said.
After a colonoscopy and a biopsy, Ingraham’s fears became a reality.
TRENDING STORIES:
- Reality star ‘Honey Boo Boo’ was inside speeding Dodge Charger involved in chase with Ga. deputies
- Deputies arrest 2 coworkers of a man who was found dead in a Ga. hotel pool
- Here are the 2023 Atlanta Journal-Constitution Peachtree Road Race T-Shirt finalists
Ingraham’s story is not uncommon.
March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and the American Cancer Society has published a new report that reveals Colorectal Cancer is increasing in young people at an alarming rate.
Dr. Arif Kamal of the American Cancer Society said that it is important for people to remain vigilant towards any symptoms.
Blood in stool, black and tarry stool, and abdominal pain are listed as some of the symptoms.
A sedentary lifestyle, excessive alcohol use, smoking, and obesity are among the things that increase the risk of Colorectal Cancer.
[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
It’s estimated that more than 153,000 people will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer this year and 52,000 will die from the disease.
Kamal says that when caught early, it is totally preventable.
The American Cancer Society changed the guidelines five years ago to include people 45 and under for screenings.
IN OTHER NEWS:
:quality(70)/d1hfln2sfez66z.cloudfront.net/03-04-2023/t_e827987869aa425c8bab548cf6358ee0_name_Screenshot_2023_03_04_070832.png)
©2022 Cox Media Group
:quality(70)/d1hfln2sfez66z.cloudfront.net/05-17-2024/t_b2dced5cec2c4512bbceb0da0c61cf79_name_file_1920x1080_1200_v3_1_.jpg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/PAGVMMPKQFGUHGR6OH5WT65I44.jpeg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/OG7ORAWZPBBNDMFHOGIAFTS7XM.jpeg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/FFAXV3YZW5APHCVHJF7BYBSU5U.png)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/VEHJNKJ2KZG2JDZPRMFZQG4PA4.jpeg)