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Colorectal Cancer Month

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.  Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society.  So it would behoove all of us to learn more about the disease especially since early detection can significantly increase the survival rate for those diagnosed with colorectal cancer!

Colorectal cancer is cancer of the colon or rectum.  No exact cause of the disease has been identified, but there are specific risk factors that increase the likelihood of contracting colorectal cancer.

• Age - Those over the age of 50 have increased risk.
• Family history - Those with close relatives with colorectal cancer have increased risk.
• Personal history with colorectal polyps or cancer - Polyps in the colon or rectum can become cancerous.  The disease may reoccur if you were previously diagnosed with colorectal cancer.
• Other risk factors include an unhealthy lifestyle (poor nutrition and lack of exercise), smoking, and bowel disorders (such as Crohn’s disease).

Symptoms of colorectal cancer are not obvious in the early stages.  Later symptoms include:

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

If you experience any of the above symptoms, you should consult your physician.

There are several screening tests for colorectal cancer that may allow the disease to be diagnosed early enough to increase the survival rate significantly.  The American Cancer Society states that the five year survival rate may be 90% or greater with early detection!  Screening options include:

• Fecal occult blood test—recommended once a year
• Flexible sigmoidoscopy—recommended every five years
• Double-contrast barium enema—recommended every five years
• Colonoscopy—recommended every 10 years

During the month of March, be proactive and talk to your physician about colorectal cancer screening!  For more information about colorectal cancer, visit the web site for the American Cancer Society at www.cancer.org. 

Ann Gasper is the Marketing Coordinator for HSC Medical Center.