Early Detection Is Key to Fighting Colorectal Cancer

The month of March is dedicated to colorectal cancer awareness. By learning about colorectal cancer, you are helping fight a disease that affects one out of 18 Americans. According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death for both men and women in the United States. Because of screening tests, colorectal cancer can be caught early, increasing the survival rate for those diagnosed with the disease.

“Colorectal cancer is preventable when polyps are found and removed,” explained Dr. Rabab Hashim, a colon and rectal surgeon at St.Vincent Jennings Hospital Surgical Associates. “It is highly curable when found in its early stages. It is important to have screening tests that examine the entire colon because cancer can occur anywhere in the colon.”

Know the Risks

Colorectal cancer refers to cancer of the colon or rectum. While the exact cause of colorectal cancer is unknown, the following risk factors may increase the chance that a person will develop this disease.

• Your age. The odds of developing colorectal cancer increase after age 50. Over 90 percent of people diagnosed with colorectal cancer are age 50 or older.***
• Family history. Having close relatives (parents, siblings or children) who have been diagnosed with colorectal cancer increases your risk; therefore, earlier and more frequent screenings may be recommended by your physician.
• Personal history of colorectal polyps or colorectal cancer. A polyp is a growth that develops on the inner lining of the colon or rectum. Some polyps may become cancerous. If you’ve been diagnosed with colorectal cancer in the past, the disease may reoccur.

Other risk factors include unhealthy eating, lack of exercise, smoking and bowel disorders such as Crohn’s disease. Although some risk factors, such as your age and family history, cannot be avoided, other factors are within your control. Choosing to follow a healthy lifestyle may help lower your risk of developing colorectal cancer.

Watch for Symptoms 
Colorectal cancer may not present symptoms in its earliest stages. However, as the cancer progresses, the following symptoms may develop:

• Irregular bowel habits, including constipation and diarrhea
• A constant feeling that you need to have a bowel movement
• Rectal bleeding or bloody stools
• Frequent stomach pains or cramps

Consult a physician about being screened for colorectal cancer if you experience any of these symptoms. If you or a loved one is at risk for developing colorectal cancer or exhibits symptoms of the disease, don’t hesitate to discuss your concerns with a physician. With colorectal cancer, early screenings can translate into saved lives.