Today happens to be the last day of the National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.

Colon cancer survivor Larry Mickley explains "I had just a general physical and had a bowel smear and my doctor said we may have a problem.  So, I went, had a colonoscopy done and yes we did have a problem, and I was diagnosed with having rectal cancer."

Gastroenterologist Asif Choudhury explains that a colonoscopy is used to help detect and prevent cancer when pre-cancerous polyps are found and removed.  "Many times by colonscopy we can take the polyp out and they are free from cancer."

According to Dr. Choudhury if people begin to view colon cancer testing as important as women may view mammograms and pap smear tests, then great progress will be made in defeating this disease.

Larry says, "It's what they call the silent killer, I mean, I felt great.  I would just encourage everybody to start going to see your doctor, have a physical.  It saved my life."

Dr. Choudhury also says that it's recommended that everyone should get a colonoscopy starting at age 50, unless you have a personal or family history of colon cancer, polyps, or inflammatory bowel disease of significant duration.  "If anybody in the family has colon cancer diagnosed at any age, family members, close family members should get colonoscopy 10 years earlier than diagnosis."

As colorectal awareness month comes to a close, local doctors are encouraging everyone that should be getting a colonoscopy to take some time out and get screened.

Larry Mickley runs the colorectal support group at the Patty Berg Cancer Center.  The group meets on the 4th Tuesday of every month.  You can call 239- 931-8758 for more information.