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What you need to know about colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer. Those are two words no one wants to hear. According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the United States with nearly 102,480 new cases of the disease diagnosed in 2013. Fortunately, the death rate from colorectal cancer has been dropping over for more than 20 years due to early screenings and improved treatments.

Undergoing testing to diagnose colorectal cancer may be necessary because of abnormal results from a screening exam or if there are symptoms of the disease, such as a change in bowel habits, abdominal pain, weakness, rectal bleeding or blood in the stool.

Diagnosis may begin with a complete medical history and physical examination. Endoscopic tests to check for colorectal polyps also may be necessary, including a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy (procedures used to see inside the colon and rectum), and imaging tests such as a barium enema, double contrast barium enema or virtual colonoscopy. A biopsy is done on any abnormal-looking tissues that are removed during a colonoscopy to confirm the diagnosis of colorectal cancer.

Other imaging tests may be required to determine if a suspicious area is cancerous, learn if the cancer has spread or find out if treatment has been effective. These tests include computed tomography, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, positron emission tomography and angiography.

Once colorectal cancer had been diagnosed, treatment will be determined based on the stage and type of cancer, how far it has spread, overall health, side effects of treatment and long-term prognosis. Surgery usually is recommended for early stage colon cancer. The procedure calls for the removal of part of the colon and nearby lymph nodes. Some stage 0 or early stage 1 tumors can be taken out by removing the base of the polyp or the superficial cancer and a small margin of surrounding tissue.

Colorectal cancer also may be treated with three different types of radiation therapy, which use high-energy rays or particles to destroy cancer cells.

  • External-beam radiation therapy focuses radiation on the cancer from outside the body;
  • Endocavitary radiation therapy delivers radiation through a hand-held device placed into the anus; and
  • Internal radiation therapy (brachytherapy) involves placing small pellets of radioactive material next to or directly into the cancer.

Chemotherapy, which involves administering drugs either into a vein or orally, can be part of a colorectal cancer treatment plan as well. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy may be given along with radiation before surgery to try to shrink some rectal cancers. Adjuvant chemotherapy is given after surgery in case the cancer returns.

It is important to discuss potential side effects of treatment with your doctor. Most side effects should decrease after treatment, but steps can be taken to reduce or relieve them.

For more information about diagnosing and treating colorectal cancer, talk with your doctor or visit the American Cancer Society Web site at www.cancer.org.

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Can You Prevent Cancer?

An estimated 1.7 million people received a cancer diagnosis in 2018. And while there are many factors that we can’t control, such as genes, we do have some control over lifestyle and our environment. When someone asks, “Can you prevent cancer?” here are some of the choices and tests that can help avoid cancer or find it soon enough to make a difference.

Lifestyle Choices to Reduce the Risk of Cancer

  1. Protect your skin. Skin cancer is caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun and/or tanning beds. When you’re outside, wear a hat, sunglasses, sun-protective clothing and sunscreen. Stay in shade when possible and/or avoid the peak hours of sunlight between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. standard time.
  2. Maintain a healthy weight. Obesity increases the risk for several types of cancers including uterine, breast, prostate and colorectal. Your weight is directly related to food and activity choices. If you’re not sure how to get started, talk with your doctor.
  3. Avoid tobacco. Lung cancer is the most deadly form of cancer, largely attributed to cigarette smoke. Smoking also causes or contributes to cancer in the mouth, throat, esophagus, trachea, stomach, colon, rectum, liver, pancreas, kidney, urinary bladder and cervix. And, those exposed to secondhand smoke have a 20 to 30 percent higher risk of developing lung cancer than those not exposed.
  4. Limit drinking alcohol. Drinking alcohol may contribute to mouth, voice box, throat, liver and breast cancer. Less alcohol is associated with lower risk.

Prevent Cancer by Finding Cancer Early

With cancer, the sooner the treatment, the better opportunity for a good outcome. Screenings are available and recommended for:

Breast cancer – Women should ask for their doctor’s recommendation about the age to begin and how often to get a mammogram.

Cervical cancer – A pap test identifies abnormal cells in the cervix that could develop into cancer and is recommended for women age 21 to 65.

Colorectal cancer – For most people, colorectal screening begins at age 50. Certain conditions may cause your doctor to recommend earlier screening.

Lung cancer – Candidates for lung cancer screening include people who have a history of heavy smoking or have quit within the last 15 years, and are age 55 to 80 years old.

Warning Signs of Cancer

Different cancers have a variety of symptoms. However, when the goal is to prevent cancer, it’s helpful to know some of the general signs to watch for.

  • Unexplained weight loss – Losing 10 pounds or more without trying may be a sign of cancer of the pancreas, stomach, esophagus or lung.
  • Fatigue – Extreme tiredness that doesn’t get better with rest may be a symptom as cancer grows or if the cancer is causing internal bleeding.
  • Fever – Cancer often has associated fever when it spreads past where it started.
  • Pain – The location of pain may indicate a type of cancer such as bone or testicular cancer. Headaches that won’t go away may indicate a brain tumor, or back pain may accompany colon, rectum or ovarian cancer.
  • Skin changes – Noticing changes in moles or skin pigment may indicate skin cancer. Additionally, skin that is darker, redder or yellow-tint, itching or excessive hair growth may be symptoms of cancer.
  • Lump or thickening in the breast or other parts of the body – Talk with your doctor if you notice any unusual lumps or thickened skin, especially in the breast, testicles, lymph nodes or soft tissues.

Make sure to have regular annual checkups with your primary care doctor, and talk with him or her about any health concerns. (You can find a doctor by completing the form on this page.)

 Sources:

National Cancer Institute, https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/understanding/statistics

National Cancer Institute, Cancer Prevention Overview, retrieved from https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/patient-prevention-overview-pdq

Centers for Disease Control, Cancer Prevention and Control, retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/dcpc/prevention/other.htm

Centers for Disease Control, Cancer Screening Tests, retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/dcpc/prevention/screening.htm

American Cancer Society, Signs and Symptoms of Cancer, retrieved from https://www.cancer.org/treatment/understanding-your-diagnosis/signs-and-symptoms-of-cancer.html 

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