Colorectal cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths in our country for both men and women. In fact, The American Cancer Society estimates more than 100,000 new cases of colon cancer and more than 40,000 new cases of rectal cancer will develop this year alone. Colon cancer is cancer of the large intestine known as the colon. Rectal cancer is cancer of the last few inches of the colon. Together, they are commonly referred to as colorectal cancer.
Colon and rectal cancers begin in the digestive system that processes food into energy. Once food is chewed and swallowed, it travels to the stomach where it is partially broken down and sent to the small intestine which is about 20 feet in length. The small intestine further breaks down the food and most of the nutrients contained therein. From there, it passes on to the large intestine which is about 6 feet in length. The colon absorbs water and acts as a holding facility for stool that ultimately passes through to the rectum for evacuation.
Cancers of the colon and rectum have numerous features in common; however, their treatments differ. They commonly develop slowly over a number of years, beginning as a small clump of cells known as adenomatous polyps, small tissue growths that enlarge into the center of the colon or rectum. Polyps can be benign and are not always cancerous in nature but one type known as an adenoma can advance to become cancerous; more than 95% of colon and rectal cancers are adenocarcinomas.
Most individuals with early cancer don’t have any symptoms that commonly only develop as the disease advances. Early signs and symptoms include a change in bowel habits to include diarrhea or constipation, rectal bleed, dark stools, fatigue, weight loss, abdominal pain or cramping, and blood in the stool. It should be noted that everyone has periods of constipation or diarrhea now and then. This does not represent colon cancer but is more likely linked with food consumption, stress, or numerous other possibilities. Changes that last for a week or more, whether those listed above or differing, should be reported to your physician or gastroenterologist who may choose to do blood work such as a complete blood count to test you for anemia, order a CT scan, MRI, ultrasound, PET scan, or other testing. If he or she leans toward the possibility of colorectal cancer, a colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, or barium enema might be ordered. If polyps are detected, the polyp will likely be removed during colonoscopy for biopsy.
Those at increased risk include individuals with a known family history of polyps or colorectal cancer, and who may themselves have ulcerative colitis, a diagnosis of Crohn’s disease, being on a low-fiber/high-fat diet, leading a sedentary lifestyle, heavy alcohol consumption and tobacco usage, and obesity. This leads us to understand there are things we can do today in the form of a healthful diet, regular exercise, and abstaining from excessive smoking and alcohol that can go a long way toward keeping our bodies healthy.
Cancer is categorized into four stages. Stage I indicates the cancer has grown through the mucosa of the colon or rectum but hasn’t spread. Stage II indicates it has grown into or through the colon or rectum wall but hasn’t spread to nearby lymph nodes. Stage III implies it has invaded those lymph nodes but hasn’t spread to the rest of the body. Finally Stage IV designates malignancy. Treatment will depend on the stage of cancer presented and will essentially include surgery, chemotherapy and radiation as the three main options.
At a minimum and beginning at the age of 50, individuals – both men and women – should have a fecal occult blood test annually as part of a routine examination, undergo a sigmoidoscopy every five years, and colonoscopy every 10 years unless a gastroenterologist or medical specialist recommends sooner. Thanks to advances in prevention coupled with early detection and early treatment, there are more than a million people in our country who are colorectal cancer survivors. Become one of them. Make an appointment with your doctor and get the checkup that may save your life.
