Colorectal (colon) Cancer- Colorectal (colon) cancer is preventable! Colorectal cancer affects men and women of all racial and ethnic groups, and is most often found in people aged 50 years or older. Of cancers that affect both men and women, colorectal (colon) cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States and the third most common cancer in men and in women. Colorectal (colon) cancer is cancer that starts in the large intestine (colon) or the rectum (end of the colon).
Even though colorectal (colon) cancer is preventable, it is more common in people over 50, and the risk increases with age. You have a higher risk for colorectal (colon) cancer if you: are older than 60, are of African American and eastern European descent, eat a diet high in red or processed meat, have cancer elsewhere in the body, have colorectal polyps, have inflammatory bowel disease, IBD, (Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis), have a family history of colon cancer, have a personal history of breast cancer, smoke cigarettes, and/or drink alcohol. Colorectal (colon) cancer may be associated with a high-fat, low-fiber diet and red meat.
Colorectal (colon) cancer is preventable! When not prevented, stages of colon cancer are: stage 0 - very early cancer on the innermost layer of the intestine, stage I - cancer is in the inner layers of the colon, stage II- cancer has spread through the muscle wall of the colon, stage III - cancer has spread to the lymph nodes, stage IV - cancer has spread to other organs. There is no single cause for colon cancer. Nearly all colorectal (colon) cancers begin as noncancerous (benign) polyps, which slowly develop into cancer. The following symptoms, may indicate colon cancer: abdominal pain and tenderness in the lower abdomen, blood in the stool, diarrhea, constipation, or other changes in bowel habits, intestinal obstruction, narrow stools, unexplained anemia (low red blood count), and/or weight loss with no known reason.
Colorectal (colon) cancer is preventable! Early diagnosis often leads to a complete cure. Colorectal (colon) cancer screening saves lives. Screening can find precancerous polyps—abnormal growths in the colon or rectum—so that they can be removed before turning into cancer. Screening also helps find colorectal (colon) cancer at an early stage, when treatment often leads to a cure. About nine out of every 10 people whose colorectal (colon) cancer is found early and treated are still alive five years later. Procedures used to detect colorectal (colon) cancer are FOBT- fecal occult blood test (detects small amounts of blood in stool), colonoscopy, simoidoscopy, liver function tests, and blood tests. When not prevented, treatments for colorectal (colon) cancer include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation or a combination.
Colorectal (colon) cancer is preventable! Get screened today!
Comments