Although it seems like we were celebrating the holidays just yesterday, the snow has already melted, birds are chirping, and Spring is here. That means it’s time to pack lingering Christmas knick-knacks and set your clocks forward.
This March you shouldn't only observe Daylight Savings, though. This month is also Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. As the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, colorectal cancer is a big deal. And, recognizing and preventing this illness is something we should all be informed about.
In honor of this movement, in this blog post, we review risk factors, warning signs, and screening guidelines for colorectal cancer.
What is colon cancer/colorectal cancer?
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty details of screening, it might help to explain some basics. So, what exactly is colorectal cancer?
Colorectal cancer is cancer that affects the colon (aka large intestine) or the rectum. Technically, colon cancer differs from rectal cancer in that colon cancer originates in the colon, and rectal cancer originates in the rectum. Nonetheless, they share many features, leading organizations like the American Cancer Society to group them together.
These types of cancers often start as polyps or groups of cells that overgrow inside the colon. Polyps may be harmless or could later develop into cancer over a 10-15 year time frame. If someone has a history of many polyps or large polyps, they could be at greater risk of colorectal cancer.
Besides polyps, other risk factors for this disease include:
Age: People 50 years and older have the highest incidence
Family History: Familial history of colorectal cancer, genetic conditions such as Lynch Syndrome, and Familial Adenomatous Polyps (FAP) may increase risk.
History of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases: Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis damage healthy colon tissue, increasing cancer risk.
Lifestyle: Diets that include lots of processed meats and few fruits and vegetables, lack of exercise, alcohol consumption, and smoking also increase risk.
What are the signs of colorectal cancer?
Now that you understand a bit more basic info, you’re asking “How do I know if I have colorectal cancer?” Are there any tell-tale signs to be sure you have it?
Well, not exactly. If you have colon or rectal cancer, you may not have symptoms until the disease has progressed and spread to other parts of the body.
If you do experience changes, typical symptoms include:
Changes in bowel habits such as diarrhea, constipation, or narrowing of stool
Tar-like or dark stool, or bright red rectal bleeding
Weight loss
Abdominal cramping or pain
Weakness and fatigue
Incomplete feeling of emptying after defecation
If you experience any of these symptoms, reach out to a medical provider for evaluation. They could be warning signs of colorectal cancer or other illnesses such as hemorrhoids or irritable bowel syndrome.
Screening Guidelines
Given that many people have no symptoms at all, screening is vital to identify colorectal cancers that may otherwise go unnoticed for months and even years.
Currently, the American Cancer Society recommends people at average risk of colorectal cancer (those without a familial/personal history or other risk factors) start regular screening by age 45 years. Screening includes tests that look for blood in the stool as well as visual exams such as colonoscopies, sigmoidoscopies, or CT colonography.
Although some may opt to start with less invasive stool tests, if results are abnormal, patients must follow up with a colonoscopy.
If you have a personal or familial history that puts you at higher risk, talk with a medical provider about which screening test is best for you.
How to Prevent Colorectal Cancer
Last but not least in our discussion is the topic of prevention. Sure, it’s important to know about risk factors, symptoms, and screening guidelines. But, how do we prevent colorectal cancer in the first place?
Strategies to Prevent Colorectal Cancer include:
Eating a healthy diet with ample fiber, excluding processed meats
Exercising regularly (at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise weekly)
Avoiding smoking
Limiting alcohol
Attending regular screenings
Thanks to tips like these, and increased screening efforts, colorectal cancer has been declining in older people. Despite this fact, there is still work to do to tackle this health issue. For those younger than 55, colorectal cancer rates are actually on the rise with no clear cause.
While researchers work diligently to understand this phenomenon, raising awareness and making healthier lifestyle choices are crucial steps to address this disease. So, while you make your St. Patrick’s Day and Easter plans, consider cutting back on alcohol and processed meat during festivities. And, schedule a colonoscopy if you’re due!
References
American Cancer Society. (2024, January 29). American Cancer Society guideline for colorectal cancer screening. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/colon-rectal-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/acs-recommendations.html
American Cancer Society. (2024, January 29). Key statistics for colorectal cancer. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/colon-rectal-cancer/about/key-statistics.html
American Cancer Society. (2024, January 29). What is colorectal cancer? https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/colon-rectal-cancer/about/what-is-colorectal-cancer.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023, December 6). What counts as physical activity for adults. https://www.cdc.gov/physical-activity-basics/adding-adults/what-counts.html
Colon Cancer Foundation. (n.d.). What is colorectal cancer? https://coloncancerfoundation.org/what-is-colorectal-cancer/
John Hopkins Medicine. (n.d.). Familial adenomatous polyposis. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/familial-adenomatous-polyposis
World Health Organization. (2023, July 11). Colorectal cancer. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/colorectal-cancer?
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