Colorectal cancer is projected to cost the lives of over 50,000 Americans in 2019. It is the third-leading cause of cancer deaths in men and the second-leading cause of cancer deaths when the statistics for men and women are combined.
Recent decades have seen a decline in the number of deaths from colon cancer due to improved treatment measures and an increased focus on regular screenings beginning at age 50, or earlier if a genetic risk exists. When caught early, colon cancer is highly preventable and extremely easy to treat, which is probably why there are more than 1 million survivors of colon cancer living in the U.S. today.
Risks for Colon Cancer
If you have a family history of colon cancer, you have a far greater chance of developing the disease. Having a first-degree relative who had colon cancer gives you roughly double the usual 5% odds of developing colon cancer. If it is rampant in a family, those odds can increase.
Colon cancer occurs most often in people over age 50, among African-Americans, and those with inflammatory intestinal disorders. It also affects those with a low-fiber, high-fat diet; people with diabetes; and those who lead a sedentary lifestyle.
Preventive Measures
The best way to prevent colon cancer is by having a screening within the recommended guidelines. Screening options exist and each offers its own strengths and weaknesses. A colonoscopy is the gold standard screening used to look for polyps (abnormal growths in the colon) that may become cancerous.
Certain nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like baby aspirin, celecoxib, and sulindac can decrease the chance of precancerous polyps forming. Eating a low-fat, high-fiber diet with at least 5 servings of fresh fruits and vegetables daily can also help reduce a person’s risk of polyps forming in the colon.
Symptoms of Colon Cancer
Common signs and symptoms of colon cancer include:
- Bloody stool
- Rectal bleeding
- Unexplained cramping or abdominal pain
- Drastic changes in bowel habits like diarrhea, narrowing of the stool, or constipation that last longer than a few days
Typically, symptoms appear after the cancer has progressed. Earlier signs and symptoms may be nonexistent – which is why regular colon cancer screenings are so important.
More advanced symptoms like unexplained weight loss or fatigue, anemia, or jaundice can occur when cancer has spread to nearby tissues or organs.
Treatment for Colon Cancer
Treatment options will depend on the stage at which the colon cancer has progressed to at the time of diagnosis. For example:
- Stage 1 colon cancer treatment involves the removal of the cancerous polyps. Often, no further measures are necessary if there has been no outward spread to nearby tissues.
- Stage 2 colon cancer means cancer has spread through the colon wall and possibly into nearby tissues but not reached the lymphatic system yet.
- Stage 3 colon cancer means the disease has reached the lymph nodes but not to any other organs or tissues. Radiation therapy and/or chemo may be required for people not healthy enough to withstand surgery to remove the cancerous tissue, including nearby lymph nodes.
- Stage 4 colon cancer involves distant organs or tissues; the first organ normally affected is the liver, but the cancer can spread to the lungs, brain, or peritoneum (lining of the abdomen) as well as distant lymph nodes. If surgery is too difficult due to the scope of the spread of the disease, chemotherapy or palliative care may be needed.
Treatment may also depend on the existence of other medical conditions like diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or other forms of cancer being treated.
A multidisciplinary care team, which consists of a surgeon, an oncologist, a gastroenterologist, and a radiation oncologist are the recommended medical professionals to treat a person with colon cancer.
If you reside in or near Austin, Texas, contact Austin Gastroenterology to set up an appointment to be screened. Just call the location nearest you or set up a consultation online.
