I always ask my patients to do this to prevent colon cancer
By Carly Stern
A colorectal cancer doctor is making the case for butting into your family’s business.
Dr. Parul Shukla, a colon and rectal surgeon with Northwell Health, said there’s a key piece of advice he always gives patients when it comes to preventing colorectal cancer.
And while it might be a bit uncomfortable, it’s certainly less so than having parts of your bowels surgically removed.
3D rendered illustration of bowel cancer displayed as an X-ray of a person's body
3
A colon and rectal surgeon has shared the request he always has of his patients to help them fight colon cancer
appledesign – stock.adobe.com
The recommendation from the US Prevention Task Force is to start colorectal cancer screenings — that is, colonoscopies — at age 45.
But if you have a family history, that age can drop. Yet because so many people don’t discuss their medical history with their families, a person might not know if they should be getting tested sooner.
Explore More
As you try to eat healthier in 2025, beware "health halo" foods. Dr. Mitchell Roslin, chief of bariatric surgery at Northern Westchester Hospital, warns against one food that seems nutritious but is not.
I'm a weight loss surgeon — beware this food that seems healthy but is not
Woman working out her core (left) and man drinking water after exercising (right) with celebrity trainer Jason Walsh inset.
I’m a celebrity trainer — my 70/30 rule will help you actually meet your fitness goals in 2025
Elcella makers claim it's a low-cost supplement that reduces appetite and calorie intake without the unpleasant, sometimes dangerous side effects that can accompany weight loss injections.
'Natural Ozempic' capsules may reduce appetite and calorie intake — but they're not available in the US yet
“[This has] always been one of my requests to people: Please don’t be shy to discuss the findings of your colonoscopy with your children or with your siblings, because you might save a life,” Shukla told The Post.
You should also ask your doctor follow-up questions. If, for instance, you have a polyp removed, Shukla urges finding out if it was an adenoma — a pre-cancer polyp — and what the size was.
“If my father had an advanced adenoma, I should know about it, because that would mean that I would need to be screened at least five or 10 years earlier than the screening age, because that history is as strong as if you would have had a cancer,” he added.
Dr. Parul Shukla, a colon and rectal surgeon with Northwell Health, warning about colorectal cancer
3
Dr. Parul Shukla urged people not to be shy about sharing this information with their families.
Northwell Health
“Please don’t be shy to let them know. If you don’t mind, tell them that this is what I have, and I think that’s going to impact on your age for screening.”
This guidance is especially important for catching early-onset colorectal cancer, which is when it occurs before age 50. That’s been on the rise, increasing 1.4% every year and stumping health professionals.
And while colorectal cancer in general is more common in men, that’s not true for early-onset.
“Actually, the data is quite shocking. You’ll be surprised to hear, in the under 50s, women are getting colorectal cancer at an enhanced rate as compared to men,” said the doc.
Get the latest breakthroughs in medicine, diet & nutrition tips and more.
“It’s actually flipped the rate … so it’s a frightening statistic, but unfortunately, in the younger age group, women are getting colorectal cancer more than men.”
If you’re really squeamish about getting a colonoscopy, there are other ways to screen, including a stool test or a Cologuard.
Older man talking and sitting with his son.
3
Communication is key to this cancer-preventing tip.
fizkes – stock.adobe.com
“They’re not as good as a colonoscopy, especially because if it’s positive, you still get the colonoscopy to remove the polyp. But you know, the real message is, please get screened.”
The doctor previously detailed the warning signs that could indicate that you have colon cancer, as well as the “scary” truth about young people who get it: They often have no symptoms at all.
Welcome to Billionaire Club Co LLC, your gateway to a brand-new social media experience! Sign up today and dive into over 10,000 fresh daily articles and videos curated just for your enjoyment. Enjoy the ad free experience, unlimited content interactions, and get that coveted blue check verification—all for just $1 a month!
Account Frozen
Your account is frozen. You can still view content but cannot interact with it.
Please go to your settings to update your account status.
Open Profile Settings