Colon/Rectal cancer is the 2nd most common cause of cancer deaths in the United States. It affects 140,000 people causing 60,000 deaths per year. That is staggering when you consider the disease is potentially curable when diagnosed in the early stages.
WHO IS AT RISK?
Colon cancer may occur at any age, in any person. More than 90% of the people are over 40 years old, at which point the risk doubles very 10 years.
Other risk factors include a family history of colon polyps or cancer, and a personal history of colon polyps or cancer, ulcerative colitis, cancer of the breast or uterus.
HOW DOES IT START?
Colon cancer starts off as benign (non cancerous) polyps. Some of these polyps can change into cancer. Removal of all benign polyps is the best preventative treatments that really work!
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
Unfortunately, polyps and early cancers have no specific symptoms. If there are symptoms, the most common is a change in bowel habits (constipation or diarrhea). There may also be rectal bleeding or abdominal bloating.
Because there are no specific symptoms, a screening colonoscopy is done at the age of 50. For individuals who are at greater risk (family member, other cancers etc), a screening colonoscopy is done earlier (about 40 years old).
HOW IS COLON CANCER TREATED?
Surgery is required for cure of colon cancer. Radiation therapy and chemotherapy may help. 80-90% of people return to normal health if colon cancer is found in the early stages. If found at a later stage, the cure rate drops to 50%.
WILL I NEED A COLOSTOMY?
Less than 5% of surgeries result in a colostomy and that colostomy may be temporary (2-3 months).
CAN COLON CANCER BE PREVENTED?
The best prevention is screening colonoscopy and removal of polyps if found. A high fiber diet may help. Pay attention to changes in bowel habits or blood in the stool.
DO HEMORRHOIDS LEAD TO COLON CANCER?
No, but both can bleed. Thus people may think they have hemorrhoids, and they may, but they may also have colon cancer.