[ad_1]
Dr. John Kogoy
Each March, we recognize National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in men and women in the United States.
What is colorectal cancer?
Colorectal cancer is also called colon cancer or rectal cancer, depending on where it starts. The colon and the rectum are part of the large intestine, which is part of the digestive system. These two cancers are often grouped together because they have a lot in common.
Colorectal cancer risk factors
The following can increase your risk of colorectal cancer: age (it’s more common in people 50 and older, though it can occur at any age), a personal or family history of colorectal cancer or polyps, inflammatory bowel disease (including ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease), a genetic syndrome like Lynch syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), having type 2 diabetes and being African American or of Ashkenazi Jewish descent.
Other risk factors include tobacco use, lack of physical activity, a diet low in fiber, a diet low in vegetables and fruit, a diet high in fat or processed meats (like bacon, sausage and deli meats), being overweight or obese, and alcohol consumption.
How to reduce your risk of colorectal cancer
You can reduce your risk of colorectal cancer by getting screened starting at age 45 (unless your doctor tells you to get screened sooner). Nearly all cases of colorectal cancer begin as precancerous polyps. Precancerous polyps are small growths that can be present in the colon for years before they become cancerous. Colorectal cancer screenings can detect precancerous polyps, which your physician can remove before they become cancerous.
Your diet may also influence your colorectal cancer risk. Experts recommend a diet high in fibrous vegetables, fruits and whole grains and low in animal fats (like bacon, butter and red meat).
Research also suggests that maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding tobacco products, increasing your physical activity and limiting alcohol consumption may reduce your risk of colorectal cancer.
Colorectal cancer screenings
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends adults ages 45 to 75 get screened for colorectal cancer. Depending on your risk factors, you may need screenings earlier and more often. If you’re over age 75, ask your doctor about your options. Colorectal cancer screenings include:
Colonoscopy: A colonoscopy is a procedure in which a doctor uses a thin, flexible, lighted tube to check for polyps or cancer inside the rectum and colon. During a colonoscopy, your doctor can remove precancerous polyps or cancerous growths. If you have an average risk of colorectal cancer, you should get a colonoscopy every 10 years.
At-home stool tests: Your health care provider will give you a test kit to take at home. You’ll collect a small sample of stool and return the kit to a lab or your doctor’s office, where they’ll check the sample for blood or altered DNA, depending on the test. Two types of at-home tests must be done yearly, while another type should be done every three years.
Flexible sigmoidoscopy: This test is similar to a colonoscopy and checks your rectum and lower third of the colon for polyps and cancer. It’s recommended every five years or every 10 years combined with an at-home FIT-DNA test.
CT colonography: Also called a virtual colonoscopy, this test uses X-rays and computers to take pictures of the colon, which your doctor will analyze for signs of cancer. This type of test is recommended every five years.
There are pros and cons for each type of test, so talk to your health care provider about what’s right for you.
Colorectal cancer symptoms
The following can be signs of colorectal cancer (though they can also be caused by other conditions): a change in bowel habits, blood in or on your stool, diarrhea, constipation, feeling like your bowel doesn’t completely empty after going to the bathroom, unexplained weight loss, and persistent abdominal pain or cramps.
If you have any of these symptoms, talk to your primary care provider right away. To find one near you, visit www.pardeehospital.org.
Dr. John Kogoy is a board-certified general surgeon with Pardee Surgical Associates.
[ad_2]
Source link
