Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer information such as how many people get colorectal cancer, what is colorectal cancer, risk factors of colorectal cancer and screening recommendations.
In the United States, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer found in men and women not including skin cancer and the second leading cause of cancer deaths. According to American Cancer Society 112,340 new cases of colon cancer and 41,420 new cases of rectal cancer will be diagnosed in 2007 in the United States. Combined they will cause about 52,180 deaths from colorectal cancer in 2007.
Colorectal cancers begin in the digestive system or the gastrointestinal system. This is where food is changed to energy and waste is rid from the body. The colon absorbs water and nutrients from the food and also serves as a storage place for waste matter. The waste matter moves from the colon into the rectum, the final 6 inches of the large bowel. From there the waste passes out of the body through the opening called the anus during a bowel movement. The colon has four sections. Cancer can start in any of the four sections or in the rectum. The wall of each of these sections (and rectum) has several layers of tissues. Cancer starts in the inner layer and can grow through some or all of the other layers. Knowing a little about these layers is helpful because the stage (extent of spread) of a cancer depends to a great degree on which of these layers it affects. Cancer that starts in the different areas may cause different symptoms. Colon and rectum cancers probably develop slowly over a period of several years. We now know that most of these cancers begin as a polyp--a growth of tissue into the center of the colon or rectum. Polyps are also known as adenomas. Removing the polyp early may prevent it from becoming cancer.
Colorectal Cancer Risk Factors
It is not known what exactly causes colorectal cancer, but certain risk factors increase a person's chance of getting the disease. This does not mean the person will get the disease nor does it mean people without specific risk factors will not get the disease. It only means there is an increased chance.
Colorectal Cancer Risk Factors:
- Age (Over 50)
- Personal History of Colorectal Cancer
- Personal History of Polyps
- Personal History of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (including Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease)
- Family History
- Ethnic Jewish Background (Eastern European Descent Ashkenazi)
- Race (African American)
- Diet (High Fat, Animal Sources)
- Lack of Exercise
- Overweight
- Smoking
- Heavy Alcohol Use
- Diabetes
Colorectal Cancer Screening Recommendations
Early detection greatly improves survival of colorectal cancers. Screening tests are used to detect cancer before symptoms appear and to prevent cancers by removing polyps before they might become cancer. It is recommended that after age 50, both men and women should be screened for colorectal cancer yearly and earlier if the person is in a high risk category. There are several options for screening so talk to your doctor about colorectal screening. If you have any symptoms such as a change in bowel habits such as diarrhea, constipation, or narrowing of the stool that lasts for more than a few days, a feeling that you need to have a bowel movement that doesn't go away after doing so, bleeding from the rectum or blood in the stool, cramping or steady stomach pain or weakness and tiredness be sure to tell your doctor.
Information gathered 10-21-04. Revised on 3-02-07.