Colorectal Cancer Awareness
Colorectal cancer is among the top four most common cancers in our area. Routine testing is essential in our fight against this devastating cancer. You can take steps now to prevent, reduce your risk, or catch colorectal cancer early when treatment is most effective.
Screening is testing for cancer in a person without symptoms. Colorectal cancer screening for people of average risk should begin at age 45. A person at average risk is those who do not have inflammatory bowel disease, hereditary colorectal cancer syndrome, history of radiation to the abdomen or pelvic area, or a personal or family history of colorectal cancer or polyps. Screening should continue at regular intervals determined by your provider until the age of 75. At that time, you and your provider will discuss if further screening is right for you.
Screening options include tests that check your stool or a visual exam of your colon and rectum. Cologuard, an at-home stool test kit, is ordered by your provider and shipped to your home. Cologuard detects cancer by analyzing your stool for blood or changes in DNA. You will follow the instructions to collect and return the stool sample to the manufacturer’s lab by UPS. You can drop it off at your local UPS pick-up site or arrange for home pick-up, if available at your location. The manufacturer offers “how to” videos and patient navigation services to assist you. A positive Cologuard does not automatically mean you have cancer, it means you need further testing with a colonoscopy. Rescreening for a negative result is recommended in 3 years.
A colonoscopy is a visual examination of the colon and rectum performed by a healthcare provider while you are sedated. Colonoscopies can be done right here at Crossing Rivers Health. An at-home bowel preparation is required to clear the colon of all stool so the healthcare provider can see all the bowel tissue. The prep may differ based on the healthcare provider’s preference. It generally requires stopping eating foods with seeds, skins, and nuts for a few days before the exam, drinking clear liquids, and taking a liquid laxative. It is very important to follow these instructions completely. These preps have improved significantly over the years. Check with your healthcare provider for tips to help you have an improved experience. A friend or family member will need to bring you for the exam and ensure you get home safely. Most people can return to work and regular activities the following day.
Polyps are small growths in the lining of the colon. Some polyps are harmless while others, if left alone, could develop into cancer. Polyps may not have any symptoms so you would not know you had them. An advantage to having a colonoscopy is that polyps are removed and tested for cancer. This action can diagnose and prevent colorectal cancer. Normal colonoscopies require rescreening in 10 years while abnormal findings will require a more frequent follow-up plan determined by your healthcare provider.
Genetic risk factors are inherited from our parents. Hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes and certain genetic changes have been linked to colorectal cancer. If you have a family member who has had colorectal cancer or polyps you are at higher risk of developing it yourself. This risk is even higher when the diagnosis happens before age 50 and when multiple family members are affected. Generally, screening for those with a family history will begin about 10 years earlier than your family member’s age at diagnosis. Knowing your family history and sharing this with your healthcare provider can help you make informed decisions about when to start and how often to screen.
In the US, more than half of colorectal cancers can be linked to lifestyle habits including inactive lifestyle, being overweight or obese, smoking, heavy alcohol use, and a diet high in fat, low in fiber and high in processed foods. These are modifiable risk factors, meaning you can make changes to lessen your risk of colorectal cancer. Reduce your risk of several cancers by making healthy food choices, being active, stopping smoking, decreasing alcohol intake, and maintaining a healthy weight. Challenge yourself to make one small change today.
Colorectal cancer is on the rise among younger adults. Researchers are following this trend after discovering it several years ago. Some theories about why this is happening include changes in the microorganisms that live in the gut, inflammation, and chemicals in the environment; however, the exact cause has not been proven.
Don’t wait for symptoms to develop! You may not notice symptoms until the cancer is at a more advanced stage. Report symptoms of colorectal cancer promptly to your healthcare provider for further investigation. These could include:
- Changes in bowel habits that last for more than a few days: diarrhea, constipation, narrowing of stool, dark stools
- Rectal bleeding or blood in your stool or toilet water
- Feeling that the bowel does not empty all the way
- Abdominal pain, aches, or cramps that don’t go away
- Unexplained weight loss
Begin screening at age 45 by choosing the screening option and interval you and your healthcare provider determine is right for you. Reduce your risk of developing colorectal and other cancers by making healthy choices part of your daily routine. Talk about colorectal cancer and screening with people you care about. Together we can make a difference.
Explore our health library: Colorectal cancer
Sources:
National Cancer Institute. (5 November, 2020). Why is Colorectal Cancer Rising Rapidly among Young Adults? https://www.cancer.gov/news-events/cancer-currents-blog/2020/colorectal-cancer-rising-younger-adults
Katella, K. (17, January 2024). Colorectal Cancer: What Millennials and Gen Zers Need to Know. Yale Medicine. https://www.yalemedicine.org/news/colorectal-cancer-in-young-people#:~:text=Nobody%20knows%20for%20sure%20why,Cancer%20Genetics%20and%20Prevention%20Program.
American Cancer Society. (2023). Colorectal Cancer Facts and Figures 2023-2025. https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/cancer-facts-and-statistics/colorectal-cancer-facts-and-figures/colorectal-cancer-facts-and-figures-2023.pdf
American Cancer Society. (29, January 2024). Colorectal Cancer Risk Factors. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/colon-rectal-cancer/causes-risks-prevention/risk-factors.html