Early detection of cancer through regular screenings can greatly increase survival rates because it identifies cancer when it's most treatable, according to the National Cancer Institute.
For that reason, survivors like Shara Fryer encourage others to get screened.
It certainly made a huge difference for Fryer. A journalist and former news anchor with KTRK-Channel 13 in Houston was diagnosed with early stage colorectal cancer in 2002 and treated at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.
Fryer had always been a strong believer of early detection and in adherence with recommended colorectal cancer screening guidelines, received her first colonoscopy shortly after her 50th birthday. Prior to the screening, Fryer had not been experiencing any of the common symptoms associated with colorectal cancer.
“Diagnosing my cancer at an early stage gave me overwhelming odds for successful treatment,” said Fryer. According to the American Cancer Society, early stage colorectal cancer has an overall survival rate of 90 percent.
Survival rates are high for many other common cancers when detected early through screening.
Now about five years since her initial diagnosis, Fryer still makes regular cancer screening exams a strong part of your life. She goes in for annual check-ups and a colonoscopy every three years as part of her follow-up care after cancer treatment.
Fryer also follows recommended screening guidelines for other common cancers, including breast cancer. “My mammograms are annual,” says Fryer.
Maintaining good health can be challenging for many cancer survivors who undergo intensive treatments. “I am continually worried about being struck with other “primary” cancers, but not overly so. For the most part, the issue is dealing with side effects from my radiation and chemotherapy treatment,” says Fryer, who experiences muscle shortening and steno sis, and obtains additional testing every six months to monitor potential gynecologic abnormalities detected over the past three years.