Are You at Risk for Colorectal Cancer?

One of the deadliest cancers, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women in the United States – depending upon where it starts, it can be referred to as colon cancer or rectal cancer.  The American Cancer Society estimates there will be almost 97,000 new cases of colon cancer and 40,000 new cases of rectal cancer in the U.S. this year alone.  That’s just one reason why March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and ASAP Urgent Care is talking about prevention and helping people find out whether they’re at risk.

Those over 50 years of age have the greatest risk of developing colorectal cancer.  Others at risk for the disease are those with a history of polyps, inflammatory bowel disease (including ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s), and those with a family history of colorectal polyps or cancer.

Throughout the month of March, ASAP Urgent Care is offering colorectal cancer risk assessments and fecal occult blood tests for $25.  If necessary, ASAP can also make appropriate referrals for colonoscopies.  

According to the American Cancer Society, the lifetime risk of developing colorectal cancer is about one in 20, or five percent.  The risk is only slightly lower in women.  Fortunately, the colorectal cancer death rate has been decreasing for 20 years.  This is a result of screening for polyps that can be removed before they turn into cancer.  Today, more than one million people are considered colorectal cancer survivors.  Even so, it is expected that more than 50,000 people will die from colorectal cancer in the U.S. in 2014.  

About ASAP Urgent Care
Founded in Connecticut by doctors with over three decades of experience, ASAP Urgent Care is dedicated to providing a better solution for people who have urgent medical needs.  In addition, ASAP offers occupational medicine, online doctor visits, and diet and sleep aid for patients of all ages.  ASAP Urgent Care also has employer services to help keep businesses running and employees healthy with a wide range of services from diagnostics, to flu clinics, to drug screenings, and more.

Centers are open Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., except on Thanksgiving and Christmas.  ASAP guarantees patients will be seen within 20 minutes of checking in at its locations – if ASAP is somehow unable to fulfill this promise, patients made to wait more than 20 minutes will receive a credit of $20 toward their next visit.  Through ASAP’s website, patients can check in online as well as can video conference with healthcare professionals from the comfort of their own homes.  ASAP Urgent Care centers are open in Hamden (203-248-2727) and Madison (203-318-8000).  The chain will open facilities in Milford and North Haven in early 2014.  For more information, visit www.ASAPGetBetter.com and connect with ASAP on Facebook.

Lawrence Earl, MD is COO & Chief Medical Officer of ASAP Urgent Care.  An urgent care physician with three decades of caring for patients, advising corporate health clients, and building health-care enterprises, Dr. Earl is a recognized national expert on Urgent Care and Occupational Medicine, particularly in the area of commercial driver evaluation and management. He was recently featured on the national satellite “Road Dog” radio show, helping truckers with their medical concerns. He serves as medical director for NADME.org, the National Academy of DOT Medical Examiners, which trains physicians to become certified for the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners (NRCME), and maintains the “UrgentCareMentor.com” blog to assist urgent care physicians with their practice.