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What is colorectal cancer?
Cancer that
begins in the colon is called colon cancer, and cancer that begins in the rectum
is called rectal cancer. Cancers affecting either of these organs also might be
called colorectal cancer.
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer and
cancer deaths among American men and women. Each year, more than 130,000 new
patients are diagnosed with colorectal cancer, and more than 46,000 colon
cancer-related deaths occur.
How does colorectal cancer develop?
Colorectal
cancer occurs when the cells that line the colon (also called the large
intestine or large bowel) or the rectum (lower portion of the colon) become
abnormal and grow out of control.
Unfortunately, many colorectal cancers are
"silent" tumors until they are advanced and produce symptoms.
Fortunately, through regular colorectal cancer screenings, colorectal cancer is
preventable, and curable, if detected early.
Who is at risk for colorectal cancer?
Every
one of us is at risk for colorectal cancer. The majority of people who develop
colorectal cancer have no known risk factors. The average risk for colorectal
cancer is one out of 50 or 2 percent of people. Although anyone can get colorectal
cancer, it is most common among people over the age of 50. Women have a higher
risk for colon cancer, while men are more likely to develop rectal cancer. Risk
factors for colorectal cancer include:
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A personal history of colorectal polyps (benign growths on the inner wall of
the colon and rectum) or cancer (highest risk factor)
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A diet high in fat and low in fiber
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Family history of polyps or colorectal cancer
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Family history of familial adenomatous polyposis, a disease in which hundreds of
polyps cover the colon
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Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis)
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Smoking
What are the symptoms of colorectal cancer?
Unfortunately,
colorectal cancer might strike without symptoms. For this reason, it is very
important to have regular colorectal cancer prevention examinations, called
screening. One of the signs of colon cancer might be bleeding. Often tumors bleed
only small amounts intermittently, and evidence of the blood is found only
during chemical testing of the stool. This is called occult bleeding — it is not
always visible to the naked eye. When tumors have grown larger, other symptoms
might develop. The symptoms of colorectal cancer include the following:
How can I protect myself from colorectal cancer?
Living
a healthy lifestyle that includes regular exercise; maintenance of a healthy
weight; and a diet that is low in fat and high in fiber, vegetables, and fruit is
probably your best start to general cancer prevention. Even with recent reports
that a high-fiber diet does not necessarily protect against colorectal cancer,
eating well and exercising confer so many other health benefits that it would be
wise to adopt or maintain those lifestyle changes.
Going to the doctor as recommended so he or she can check
the colon for polyps and cancer is the next
important step. Screening recommendations depend upon an
individual's risk of colorectal cancer. The goal is to identify people at high
risk of developing colon cancer and screen them earlier than the general
population.
The screening recommendations for people without any
symptoms that might suggest colorectal cancer or polyps include:
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Digital rectal exam performed in men once a year, every year after age 40
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