Simply put, colorectal cancer is cancer of the colon and/or rectum. Nearly 145,000 people, both men and women, will be diagnosed with the condition this year alone. What is even more frightening than that figure is that almost one third of those people will die as a result. Colorectal cancer is considered the leading cause of cancer death for men and women.
The initial stages of colorectal cancer don’t generally exhibit warning signs or symptoms; however, when they do occur, medical intervention must be sought. These include a change in bowel habits such as new onset of constipation and/or diarrhea, rectal bleeding, fatigue, unexplained weight loss, bloating and fullness of the abdomen, and vomiting. This is not to say the average individual will never experience one or all of these symptoms for other, less serious, reasons. For example, rectal bleeding may be from a simple hemorrhoid. Constipation may be caused by a medication’s side effect. Diarrhea may be caused by a specific food or food additive. Fatigue can result from stresses at work or home. We must be mindful and not panic when a problem appears but take it as a sign that something is going on and needs attention.
Risk factors include advancing age, a sedentary lifestyle, a family history of disorders such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, eating too much red meat, drinking to excess, smoking, and more. If you find you fall into one or more of these categories, take steps to prevent becoming a statistic. Beginning today, eat less red meat and eliminate processed meats from your diet. Include fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains in your meal planning. Maintain a healthy weight by exercising almost every day. This can range from simply walking around the block, using the stairs instead of taking the elevator, to more strenuous workouts. If the latter is chosen, be sure to speak with your primary physician before initiating any regimen. Limit your alcohol consumption to no more than one drink each day. The act of smoking alone can have long-term devastating effects on the body and should be ideally discontinued or at least substantially reduced.
You already visit your doctor for a yearly physical or when ill, so when you approach the age of 50, why not begin the screening process also? With any known family history, your physician may want you to begin sooner. Accept those dreaded stool blood test packets your physician urges you to perform. They’re done in the convenience of your home and returned to your doctor’s office for analysis. Piece of cake! Have a virtual colonoscopy, double contrast barium enema, or flexible colonoscopy every 5-10 years. Your physician can recommend which test is most appropriate. Any abnormality from the non-invasive testing will likely be followed by colonoscopy, a procedure that allows your gastroenterologist or surgeon to view the entire large intestine for early signs of cancer.
Should a problem be found, the most common treatment recommended is surgery. If caner is detected, chemotherapy or radiation may be appropriate. The bottom line and whatever the outcome or procedure, early detection is best. Don’t become a statistic. Speak with your physician during your next scheduled examination and get tested. Follow that famous saying, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. You’re worth it.
