When it comes to colorectal cancer, the facts can be scary. Fortunately, the availability of effective early screening and the ease of making simple lifestyle changes brighten the outlook.
Overall, in the U.S., 1 in 23 men (4.3%) and 1 in 25 women (4%) are at risk of developing colorectal cancer in their lifetime. It is the third most common form of the disease and the second leading cause of cancer death in the nation.
Colorectal, or colon, cancer encompasses cancer of the colon and the rectum, which are parts of our digestive system that process and help pass foods, water and waste material out of the body. The colon, or large bowel, is the first part of the large intestine and is about five feet long. The rectum and anal canal make up the last part of the large intestine, at six to eight inches long. The anal canal ends at the anus, the opening of the large intestine to the outside of the body.
This form of cancer occurs when cells grow out of control. These abnormal growths, called polyps, can over time become cancerous.
Few Early Warning Signs
There are often no signs or symptoms of colorectal polyps or cancer, which is why screening is so important. As a tumor grows, it may bleed or block the intestine. The most common warning signs include blood in the stool or in the toilet after a bowel movement, dark or black stools, or bleeding from the rectum. Any symptoms should be reported to your primary health care provider right away.
Early Screening Tests Matter
Screening tests can detect polyps at an early stage, so they can be removed before turning into cancer. According to the Colon Cancer Coalition, when detected in its early stages, colon cancer is more likely to be cured, treatment is less extensive, and recovery is much faster. The five-year survival rate when colon cancer is diagnosed at early stages (Stage 1 and Stage 2) is 90 percent.
Know Your Screening Options
The risk of developing colorectal cancer increases with age. The majority of cases occur in adults age 50 and older. For colon cancer, the average age at diagnosis is age 68 for men and age 72 for women. For rectal cancer, it is age 63 for both men and women.
The American Cancer Society recommends regular screenings beginning at age 45. The five most common tests are summarized here by the National Cancer
Institute:
1. Fecal occult blood test checks for blood in the stool that can only be seen with a microscope.
2. Sigmoidoscopy uses a thin, tube-like instrument to look inside the rectum and lower colon for polyps, abnormal areas or cancer. Polyps or tissue samples can be removed and checked under a microscope for signs of cancer.
3. Colonoscopy is a procedure that looks inside the colon and can remove polyps or tissue samples to be checked for cancer.
4. Virtual colonoscopy takes a series of x-ray images to show polyps or other abnormalities on the inside surface of the colon.
5. DNA stool test checks DNA for genetic changes that may signal cancer.
Decisions about screening tests and preparing for them may cause anxiety. It’s best to consult your doctor to gain a full understanding of the benefits and any risks, and determine which test is recommended for you and how often you should be screened.
Know Your Risks and How to Reduce Them
If you have Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis or other inflammatory bowel disease or a family history of
colorectal polyps or cancer, you may be at higher risk. Radiation to the abdomen or pelvic area to treat prior cancers can also increase risk.
A lack of regular physical activity, being overweight or obese, a diet high in fat and lacking fruits and vegetables, as well as tobacco use and alcohol consumption, can also contribute.
A cancer diagnosis at any age can be life changing.
Colorectal cancer treatments can include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Your physician will personalize treatment options for your unique needs. Increasingly, thanks to ongoing clinical advancements, a growing number of patients diagnosed with colon cancer will go on and live a normal life.
World-Class Cancer Treatment Close to Home
About Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, LLC:
(FLCancer.com)
Recognized by the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) with a national Clinical Trials Participation Award, Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute (FCS) offers patients access to more clinical trials than any private oncology practice in Florida. In the past four years, the majority of new cancer drugs approved for use in the U.S. were studied in clinical trials with Florida Cancer Specialists’ participation.* Trained in prestigious medical schools and research institutes, our physicians are consistently ranked nationally as Top Doctors by U.S. News & World Report.
Founded in 1984, Florida Cancer Specialists has built a national reputation for excellence that is reflected in exceptional and compassionate patient care, driven by innovative clinical research, cutting-edge technologies and advanced treatments, including targeted therapies, genomic-based treatment and immunotherapy. Our highest values are embodied by our outstanding team of highly trained and dedicated physicians, clinicians and staff.
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