As the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, colorectal cancer is something we all need to be aware of. Also referred to as “colon cancer,” over 139,000 people were diagnosed with this disorder in 2002. This makes colon cancer the 3rd most common cancer in men and women. We need to be concerned about our health care, and we need to take colon cancer seriously.
The first symptoms of colon cancer can be as mild as constipation and stomach pain. Many people today have problems with their digestive system as a result of processed foods, artificial colors and flavorings, and high-fat diets. It is no secret that the natural fiber found in fruits and vegetables are a great way to maintain a healthy bowel. It will help promote regular bowel movements, and it helps us excrete the toxins that develop in our bowels over time. With irregular bathroom habits caused by a poor diet, many people today wouldn’t even know if there was something wrong with their colon because constipation is “normal” to them.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has become a common diagnosis in the last 10 years. Defined as intermittent bouts of constipation and diarrhea with occasional abdominal pain, this disorder mimics many of the symptoms associated with colon cancer. As a matter of fact, new research is starting to show that people with IBS should be tested for colon cancer on a regular basis. The two most common tests performed are a fecal occult blood test (FOBT), and colonoscopies. FOBTs are a simple procedure that can be performed at home, and then taken to a laboratory for testing. Colonoscopies are more invasive, and they are performed in hospitals and clinics. This procedure uses a small tube with a light and a tiny camera to examine the bowel. For people with a history of polyps in the colon, IBS, or a family history of colon cancer, colonoscopies are performed on a regular basis. It was thought that a colonscopy performed every 5 years would be adequate, today oncologist are recommending colonscopies for high risk individuals on a annual or biannual basis.
The average person diagnosed with colon cancer is 50 years old, and there is a slightly higher tendency for men to acquire this disease than women. Unfortunately, we are seeing more and more cases where 35-45 year old women are developing this disease. At a recent colorectal cancer conference in Chicago, doctors were quick to point out that women are being diagnosed with this disease soon after the birth of a child. They began to develop constipation and abdominal pain, and in some cases even blood in their stools while they were pregnant. This was attributed to the pregnancy and ignored, only to find out later that it was caused by cancer.
It is important to ask you doctor if you might be at high risk for colon cancer, if you are, preliminary screening tests should be done routinely. For people with a high risk, it is recommended that these test be started as early as your 30’s. If not at high risk, regular testing is generally started at the age of 50. Last year over 58,000 people died as a result of colon cancer. When colorectal cancer is found and treated early enough, the 5-year relative survival rate is 90%. Be smart and listen to your body, if you are having abdominal pain and irregular bowel movements, be sure to ask you doctor about further testing.