Cancer. It has to be one of the most frightening words you could ever hear your doctor say. Many people don’t realize how common colon cancer is, or don’t know screening can actually save their life. Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Yet, it is one of the most preventable cancers. Almost 150,000 new cases will be diagnosed this year and 57,000 people will die from this disease.

This cancer occurs in both men and women and although colorectal cancer may occur at any age, more than 90% of the persons who develop it are over age 40, at which point the risk doubles every ten years. The average person’s lifetime risk of developing colorectal cancer is about one chance in 20. Studies have provided very strong evidence that colorectal cancer risk is modifiable and subject to high-risk groups. High-risk persons for colorectal cancer consume diets high in animal fat and protein or low in fiber (fruits and vegetables), and drink higher than average amounts of alcohol and live sedentary lifestyles. Smoking also increases your chance for developing colorectal cancer and having had colon polyps or other forms of cancer in the past. In addition, a person with one or more family members with bowel cancer has a higher risk of developing colorectal cancer.

Symptoms of colorectal cancer may include any of the following:

• Blood in or on the stool (bowel movement),
• A change in your normal bowel habit for no obvious reason, lasting longer than six weeks, such as constipation or diarrhea,
• Unexplained weight loss,
• Unexplained pain in the abdomen or back, or
• A feeling of not having emptied your bowel properly after a bowel movement.

Sometimes colorectal cancer can cause a blockage in the bowel. Although these symptoms can be caused by something other than cancer of the large bowel, it is important that you always have these types of symptoms checked by a doctor.

Colorectal cancer requires surgery in nearly all cases for complete cure. Radiation and chemotherapy are sometimes used in addition to surgery. Between 80% and 90% of persons who develop colorectal cancer are restored to normal health if the cancer is detected and treated in the early stages. The cure rate drops 50% or less when diagnosed in the later stages.

Approximately 80% of colorectal cancers develop from benign polyps. This is a growth that starts in the lining of the colon or rectum. Eventually it may become cancerous, but this process takes, on average, 10 years. If the polyp is spotted by a screening test such as sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy, it can be removed and will never have a chance to turn into cancer. In both of these tests a doctor actually looks at the inside of the colon and rectum.

There are actions you can take to help reduce the risk of contracting colorectal cancer.
One action is having benign polyps removed. Other actions are eating a diet high in fiber and low in fat, plus incorporating exercise into your daily routine, drinking alcohol in moderation, reducing or stop smoking, and be aware of changes in your bowel habits.

Consult your family doctor if you are worried about colorectal cancer or if you have of the high-risk factors or if you have any of the symptoms mentioned in this article.

Beginning at age 50, both men and women should follow one of the screening options below:

1. Yearly stool blood test (FOBT)

2. Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years

3. Yearly stool blood test plus flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years (Of the first three options, the American Cancer Society recommends the third option, that is, stool blood test every year plus flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years.)

Or you may have:

4. Double contrast barium enema every 5 to 10 years

5. Colonoscopy every 10 years

For the stool blood test, the take-home, multiple-sample method should be used.

If something abnormal is found, a colonoscopy should be done.

While a digital rectal exam (DRE) is often done as part of a regular physical exam, it should not be used as a stand-alone test for colorectal cancer. For a DRE, the doctor examines the patient’s rectum with a gloved finger.

People with certain risk factors should begin screening earlier or have screening more often. Talk to your doctor about your own risk and when you should have screening tests.


For more information:
National Cancer Institute
 www.cancer.gov

American Cancer Society
www.cancer.org

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama www.bcbsal.org