Health

Why You Should Screen Earlier for Colon Cancer

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – While physicians encourage colon cancer screening after the age of 40, but some people may want to consider screening for the life threatening illness much earlier.

Published

3 years ago

March 24, 2023

Jameelha Missick

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – While physicians encourage colon cancer screening after the age of 40, but some people may want to consider screening for the life threatening illness much earlier.

Surgical Oncologist, Dr. Wesley Francis, says while colon cancer is the third most common type of cancer in The Bahamas, it does not get the attention it should.

While doctors recommend colon cancer screening beginning at age 45, gastroenterologist, Dr. Marcus Cooper says there are cases where it has been presenting at a much earlier age.

One young Bahamian diagnosed at what many would consider an early age was Emily Darville’s sister, Andrea Darville, who was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer at the age of 30.