Colorectal cancer is the second deadliest cancer in the United States. Yet it’s one of the few cancers that’s preventable thanks to screening. Here are two reasons why getting checked matters:
- Screening can find the warning signs of colon and rectal cancer, letting doctors take action to prevent the disease.
- Screening can also find colorectal cancer early, when treatment is most effective
SYMPTOMS:
Early stage colon and rectal cancer may not show any symptoms, especially in the early stages. While some colorectal cancer symptoms might be due to other causes like hemorrhoids, diarrhea, infection, or irritable bowel syndrome, it’s important to tell your healthcare provider about any symptoms you notice.
- A change in bowel habits
- Persistent abdominal discomfort
- Rectal bleeding
- Weakness or fatigue
- Unexplained weight loss
You can reduce your risk of colorectal cancer by limiting your intake of red and processed meat, staying lean, exercising, limiting alcohol consumption, and by not smoking. You also reduce risk by controlling and treating conditions like inflammatory bowel disease or type II diabetes.
Screening Saves Lives – Begin at age 45
Fortunately, most colorectal cancers are preventable through lifestyle changes and the removal of precancerous polyps through screening. Colonoscopy is the gold standard for finding polyps and the only test that allows for their removal. The best chance of preventing colorectal cancer, even for those with an inherited syndrome, is to follow the recommended guidelines for colonoscopy. No matter which risk subgroup you fall into, colonoscopy and removal of polyps can reduce your risk for colorectal cancer by an additional 70 to 90 percent!
The colon cancer screening age has recently changed, due to the increase in diagnoses among younger people. The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that all people at average risk begin colon cancer screening at age 45. People at higher risk may need to be screened earlier. Ask your doctor about screening, as your ethnicity, lifestyle, and family history will impact when you should get checked.
For more information visit www.colorectalcancer.org.