Local medical experts bring attention to colon cancer in March [Video]

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) – March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month, and medical professionals are hoping to spread awareness of the disease throughout the month of March and beyond.

Some warning signs people should be aware of when it comes to detecting colon cancer are a family history of the disease, abdominal pain, fatigue, unexplained weight loss and rectal bleeding.

“The reality is, colon cancer doesn’t cause symptoms until it’s had a chance to grow to a certain point,” Dr. Sean Langenfeld, a colon and rectal surgeon at UNMC said. “Screening is really the most important component of colon cancer prevention and we do that for people with no symptoms starting at the age of 45.”

The Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department is offering free colon cancer screening kits to anyone ages 45 to 74. According to LLCHD, colon cancer remains the second leading cause of cancer-related death in Lancaster County, but …