Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, after lung cancer. An estimated 143,000 cases are diagnosed annually. Nearly 52,000 men and women will die this year. But many of those deaths could be prevented with early detection.
"Colorectal cancer is one cancer where regular screening clearly has benefits. Screening saves lives," said James S. Marks, MD, former Director of the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Over 50 for Most
All adults age 50 and over are strongly urged to get screened for colorectal cancer. For those at high risk, screening could begin at a younger age. Various screening tests are available. Talk with your healthcare team about when you should be tested and which test is most appropriate for your individual situation.
What's a Colon?
 The colon and rectum are part of your body's digestive system. The digestive system removes and processes vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and water from the foods you eat, and collects the waste until is passes out of your body. The last six feet of the intestine is the colon (or large bowel). The last six inches of the colon make up the rectum, which opens to the outside of your body.
Risk Factors
Most cases of colorectal cancer occur in people at average risk for the disease, a category that includes people 50 and over. About 20 percent of colorectal cancers occur in those at high risk for the disease.
No one knows for sure what causes colon cancer. There are some possible risk factors associated with the disease:
- Age 50 years or older (although it can occur earlier)
- Family history of colorectal cancer (especially parents or siblings)
- Family history of polyps
- Personal history of polyps
- Personal history of cancer of the colon, rectum, ovary, endometrium, or breast
- Personal history of ulcerative colitis (ulcers in the lining of the large intestine)
- Certain inherited conditions such as familial polyposis coli (an inherited condition that causes hundreds of polyps to form in the colon and rectum) and hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (also called Lynch Syndrome)
- Personal history of Crohn's disease (an inflammatory condition affecting the gastrointestinal tract)
- Diet high in fat and calories and low in fiber
- Personal lifestyle (smoking and lack of exercise)
- Some studies have associated the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with colorectal cancer
Having one or more of these risk factors doesn't mean you're going to get colorectal cancer. It just increases your chances. Talk with your physician about ways to reduce your risks.
Symptoms
The symptoms of colorectal cancer can also be symptoms for other conditions. But be sure to contact your doctor if you have any of the following:
- A change in bowel habits
- Blood (either bright red or very dark) in your stool
- Diarrhea, constipation, or feeling that you still have to have a bowel movement after you've just gone
- Stools that are narrower than usual
- General abdominal discomfort (frequent gas pains, bloating, fullness, or cramps)
- Unexplained weight loss
- Constant tiredness
- Vomiting
Don't wait until you have a symptom before getting tested. Talk to your healthcare team about when to begin checking for colorectal cancer, what tests you should have, and how often you should have them. Research shows that colorectal cancer develops gradually from benign polyps. Early detection and removal of the polyps might help prevent colorectal cancer.
Click here to complete a colon cancer risk questionnaire, from the Washington University School of Medicine. |
