Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of death from cancer in the United States. But there are ways to help prevent colorectal cancer. And catching colorectal cancer early, with regular screening tests, can reduce the number of deaths from this disease.
Get the Facts
Colorectal cancer is a kind of cancer that happens in the colon, rectum, or anus. It’s the third leading cause of death from cancer in the United States, but there are ways to help prevent it. Catching colorectal cancer early with regular screening tests can reduce the number of deaths from this disease.
Signs and Symptoms
Colorectal polyps and colorectal cancer don’t always cause symptoms, especially at first. If you do have symptoms, they may include:
- A change in bowel habits
- Blood in or on your stool (bowel movement)
- Diarrhea, constipation, or feeling that the bowel does not empty all the way
- Abdominal pain, aches, or cramps that don’t go away
- Unexplained weight loss
If you have any of those symptoms, talk to your doctor.
Risk Factors
The risk of colorectal cancer increases after age 50, but the number of new colorectal cancer cases in people younger than 50 increased in the US between 2014 and 2018. Besides age, there are other risk factors that may increase your risk of colorectal cancer. Some of these risk factors are things you cannot control:
- Inflammatory bowel disease such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
- Ovarian cancer
- You or a family member has had colorectal cancer or colorectal polyps
- Race: Black individuals have an increased risk of colorectal cancer
But you can control some other risk factors, like lack of exercise, poor diet, high rate of alcohol consumption, and smoking.
Treatment
Treatment for colon cancer usually involves surgery to remove the cancer. Depending on how advanced the cancer is, a doctor may perform different types of surgeries. Other treatments may include radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted drug therapy, or immunotherapy.
Take Action
Prevention
The most effective way to reduce your risk of colorectal cancer is to get screened for colorectal cancer routinely. Colorectal cancer is highly preventable with screening, and it’s highly treatable when caught early. Screening should begin by age 45 and continue regularly to age 75. If you are older than 75, talk to your doctor about screening. The decision to be screened between ages 76 and 85 should be made on an individual basis.
Different types of screening tests include stool tests, flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, and CT colonography. Talk to your doctor about the pros and cons of each test and how often to be tested, especially if you think you may be at increased risk for colorectal cancer.
What else can I do?
There are some other things you can do that may help reduce your risk of colorectal cancer:
- Exercise regularly.
- Eat healthy. A healthy diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and not much-processed meat, may reduce your risk of colorectal cancer.
- Limit alcohol consumption. Drinking three or more alcoholic beverages per day increases the risk of colorectal cancer.
- Don’t smoke. Smoking cigarettes increases your risk for colorectal cancer.
- Know your family’s health history, and share it with your doctor at your next visit.
Coping and support
A cancer diagnosis can be emotionally challenging. As you learn to cope in your own ways, it can be important to learn enough to feel comfortable making treatment decisions. Ask your doctor to tell you the stage of your cancer, your treatment options, and the side effects of treatments. Keep your friends and family close. They can provide the emotional and everyday practical support that you’ll need. And find someone to talk with. Tell your hopes and fears to a friend or family member who is a good listener, or talk to a counselor, medical social worker, or cancer support group.
Want to get a headstart on your health? We deliver a Diabetes Self-Management Education and Support program accredited by the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists to meet the needs of people affected by the disease. Call MHEDS at 814-453-6229 (Peach Street) or 814-616-7730 (John F. Kennedy Center).
Our health information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Please be advised that this information is made available to assist the public in learning more about their health. MHEDS’ providers may not see and/or treat all topics found herein.
Sources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2022, February 17). Colorectal (Colon) Cancer: What Can I Do to Reduce My Risk? Retrieved January 28, 2023, from https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/colorectal/basic_info/prevention.htm
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2022, February 17). Colorectal (Colon) Cancer: What Are the Risk Factors? CDC.gov. Retrieved January 28, 2023, from https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/colorectal/basic_info/risk_factors.htm
Colorectal Cancer Alliance (2022). March Is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. ccalliance.org. Retrieved January 29, 2023, from https://www.iarc.who.int/featured-news/colorectal-cancer-awareness-month-2022/
Mayo Clinic (2022, October 8). Colon Cancer. MayoClinic.org. Retrieved January 29, 2023, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/colon-cancer/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353674
National Institutes for Health: National Cancer Institute (2022, April 6). Colon Cancer Treatment (PDQ): Patient Version. Cancer.gov. Retrieved January 29, 2023, from NCIhttps://www.cancer.gov/types/colorectal/patient/colon-treatment-pdq
PDQ® Screening and Prevention Editorial Board. PDQ Colorectal Cancer Prevention. National Cancer Institute (2022, June 10). Retrieved January 28, 2023, from https://www.cancer.gov/types/colorectal/patient/colorectal-prevention-pdq.
World Health Organization International Agency for Research on Cancer (n.d.). Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month 2022. Iarc.who.int. Retrieved January 29, 2023, from https://www.iarc.who.int/featured-news/colorectal-cancer-awareness-month-2022/
