Men’s Health Awareness Month is officially here and, for Lowcountry doctors, that means highlighting the challenges that uniquely impact this group.
At his Mount Pleasant clinic, Novant Health general surgery Dr. Jefferson Watson says there are two issues that he sees a lot of.
The first is colorectal cancer. Colon cancer is a leading of cause death among men, but it doesn’t have to be, according to Watson. He says in most cases it’s treatable and curable if caught early. He says many men are hesitant to see a doctor at all and want to avoid the intrusive nature of a colonoscopy.
However, colorectal cancer screening doesn’t necessarily mean a colonoscopy. The American Cancer Society says there are several non-invasive screening options for people with average risk. However, if there are any abnormal findings, a colonoscopy is necessary to confirm.
