Colorectal Cancer: An Ounce of Prevention is Worth a Pound of Cure
The mention of colorectal cancer can strike fear into anyone’s heart, and with good reason. According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in both men and women — last year, more than 1,600 people were diagnosed with the disease in Arkansas alone. In addition, it is the second-leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States.
But there is hope. The death rate from colorectal cancer has been dropping for the past 15 years, largely because more people are being screened regularly, and polyps are being found and treated before they can develop into cancers.
What is colorectal cancer?
Colorectal cancer is a term used to refer to cancer that develops in the colon or the rectum. The colon and rectum are parts of the digestive system, which is also called the gastrointestinal, or GI, system.
In most people, colorectal cancers develop slowly over a period of several years. This growth typically begins as a non-cancerous polyp on the lining of the colon or rectum, which may eventually change into cancer. Certain kinds of polyps, called adenomas, have the greatest potential to become cancerous.
What are the risk factors for colorectal cancer?
- Risk increases with age. More than 90 percent of people with this disease are diagnosed after age 50. The average age at diagnosis is in the mid-60s.
- Both men and women are at risk. Some people think that women are not at risk for colorectal cancer.
- African-Americans are more likely than Caucasians to be diagnosed with colorectal cancer at a more advanced stage, and are more likely to die of it once diagnosed.
- A family history of colorectal cancer increases a person’s risk. Close relatives (parents, brothers, sisters or children) of a person with a history of colorectal cancer are somewhat more likely to develop this disease themselves, especially if the relative had the cancer at a young age.
- Ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease, or other conditions that cause inflammation of the colon, may increase a person’s risk of developing colorectal cancer.
- A diet high in fat and low in calcium, folate and fiber may increase the risk of colorectal cancer.
- Cigarette smoking may increase a person’s risk of developing polyps and colorectal cancer.
Can colorectal cancer be prevented?
Colorectal cancer is one of the most preventable cancers. One of the most powerful weapons in preventing colorectal cancer is regular colorectal cancer screening or testing. From the time the first abnormal cells start to grow, it takes about 10 to 15 years for them to develop into colorectal cancer. Regular colorectal cancer screening can, in many cases, prevent colorectal cancer altogether. This is because polyps can be detected and removed before they have the chance to turn into cancer. Screening can also result in finding colorectal cancer early, when it is highly curable.
In addition, studies suggest that regular physical activity and a healthy diet might lower the risk of colorectal cancer, other cancers and heart disease. A healthy diet includes plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains and low-fat proteins. Quitting smoking and limiting alcohol could also decrease the risk.
Who needs to be tested?
The American Cancer Society recommends that all men and women be tested for colorectal cancer beginning at age 50. People who are at increased risk (see risk factors, above) need to be tested earlier and may need more frequent screening. A doctor can help determine risk and explain testing options, which include:
- Yearly fecal occult blood test (FOBT)
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years
- Yearly FOBT and flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years (this combination is preferred over either test alone)
- Double contrast barium enema every five years
- Colonoscopy every 10 years (most physicians recommend, and insurers pay for, colonoscopy as the preferred method of screening)
Resources
National Cancer Institute
www.cancer.gov
(Scroll down and click on “Colon and Rectal Cancer.”)
American Cancer Society
www.cancer.org
(Click on “Choose a Cancer Topic” and scroll down to “Colon and Rectum Cancer.”
American Cancer Society Colorectal Cancer Facts & Figures 2006
www.cancer.org/downloads/stt/CAFF06EsCsSt.pdf |
