What is Colorectal Cancer? How Can You Reduce Your Risk?

Among cancers that affect both men and women, colorectal cancer (cancer of the colon or rectum) is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States.

How Can You Reduce Your Risk?

The risk of getting colorectal cancer increases with age. If you're 50 years old or older, getting a screening test for colorectal cancer could save your life. Here's how—

• Colorectal cancer screening tests can find precancerous polyps so they can be removed before they turn into cancer. In this way, colorectal cancer is prevented.
• Screening tests also can find colorectal cancer early, when treatment often leads to a cure.

What is Colorectal Cancer?

Colorectal cancer is cancer that occurs in the colon or rectum. The colon is the large intestine or large bowel. The rectum is the passageway connecting the colon to the anus.

What Are the Symptoms of Colorectal Cancer?

Precancerous polyps and colorectal cancer don't always cause symptoms, especially at first. You could have polyps or colorectal cancer and not know it. That is why having a screening test is so important. Symptoms for colorectal cancer may include—

• Blood in or on the stool (bowel movement).
• Stomach pain, aches, or cramps that do not go away.
• Losing weight and you don't know why.

These symptoms may be caused by something other than cancer. If you're having any of these symptoms, the only way to know what is causing them is to see your doctor.

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Am I at High Risk?

Your risk for colorectal cancer may be higher than average if:

• You or a close relative have had colorectal polyps or colorectal cancer.
• You have inflammatory bowel disease.
• You have a genetic syndrome such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer. Speak with your doctor about having earlier or more frequent tests if you think you’re at high risk for colorectal cancer.

When Should You Begin to Get Screened?

You should begin screening for colorectal cancer soon after turning 50, then keep getting screened regularly. Some people have a higher risk because they have inflammatory bowel disease, a personal or family history of colorectal polyps or colorectal cancer, or genetic syndromes like familial adenomatous polyposis or hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (also known as Lynch syndrome). If you are 50 years old or older, or think you may have a higher risk for colorectal cancer, talk to your doctor about getting screened.

What Are the Screening Tests for Colorectal Cancer?

Several tests are available to screen for colorectal cancer. Some are used alone; others are used in combination with each other. Talk with your doctor about which test or tests are best for you. The USPSTF recommends these tests—

• Colonoscopy (every 10 years).
• High-sensitivity fecal occult blood test (FOBT), also known as a stool test (every year).
• Flexible sigmoidoscopy (every 5 years) with high-sensitivity FOBT (every 3 years).

Adapted from the www.cdc.gov website on Colorectal Cancer

Please call and make an appointment with one of our Gastroenterologists today: Dr. Jamil Akhras, Dr. Wael Dahhan or Dr. Rahul Nathwani.