Early Detection is Key
Colon cancer or colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer with more than 95,000 new cases each year in the United States. As with most cancers, the key to beating colorectal cancer is catching it early.
If you are over the age of 50, a screening colonoscopy is the best way to detect cancer early.
Colorectal Surgery at Beebe
Beebe's specialized surgery team treats both cancerous and non-cancerous colorectal diseases. In addition, Beebe offers surgical procedures for diverticulitis.
Colorectal Cancer Treatment at Beebe
Depending on the stage of the cancer and other factors, different types of treatment may be combined at the same time or used after one another. Your care team will work with you to determine the best course of treatment.
Treatments could include:
- Medication taken by mouth
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Immunotherapy
- Surgery
Symptoms of Colorectal Cancer
Often there are no symptoms of colon cancer in the early stages. Symptoms can often vary, depending on the stage of disease, the cancer’s location and the size of the cancer in your large intestine.
Some symptoms may include:
- Changes in bowel habits that last longer than four weeks. This could include diarrhea or constipation.
- Blood in your stool
- Ongoing abdominal discomfort, such as cramps, gas or pain
- A feeling that your bowel doesn't empty completely
- Weakness or fatigue
- Unexplained weight loss
Colon Cancer Causes & When to See a Doctor
If you notice any symptoms of colon cancer, such as blood in your stool or a persistent change in bowel habits, it is time to talk to your doctor.
If you have a family history of colon cancer, you may want to have an early screening for colon cancer. It is generally recommended for those without a history of cancer to start screenings at age 50. Depending on your health and your family history, your doctor may recommend more frequent or earlier screenings.
If you are over the age of 50, a screening colonoscopy is the best way to detect cancer early.
In most cases, it's not clear what causes colon cancer. When healthy cells in the large intestine or colon start growing too quickly or dividing too often, cancer can develop. As the cells accumulate, they form a tumor. Over time, cancer cells invade healthy cells and cause the cancer to spread to normal tissue nearby. Cancerous cells can also travel to other areas of the body, causing additional cancer.
In some cases, doctors can pinpoint inherited gene mutations that increase the risk of colon cancer. These mutations are often passed through families. However, in the case of colon cancer, these genes have only been linked to a small percentage of colon cancers. While inherited gene mutations do not make cancer inevitable, they do increase a person’s likelihood of developing cancer.
Doctors have found a strong connection between diet and cancer. Studies have shown that the typical Western diet increases the risk of cancers, including colon cancer. This high-fat, low-fiber diet, typical in the United States, significantly increases cancer risk. It is not entirely clear why this way of eating causes higher cancer risk, but it appears there is a connection between a lack of fiber and the health of the colon. Research is continuing to determine the overall cause of colon cancer.
There are many risk factors for colon cancer; some that can’t be changed, such as family history, and others than can be changed, such as dietary adjustments.
Risk factors that can be changed, include:
- Low-fiber, high-fat diet. Colon cancer and rectal cancer may be associated with a diet low in fiber and high in fat and calories. Research in this area has had mixed results. Some studies have found an increased risk of colon cancer in people who eat diets high in red meat and processed meat.
- A sedentary lifestyle. If you're inactive, you're more likely to develop colon cancer. Getting regular physical activity may reduce your risk of colon cancer.
- Obesity. People who are obese have an increased risk of colon cancer and an increased risk of dying of colon cancer when compared with people considered normal weight.
- Smoking. People who smoke may have an increased risk of colon cancer.
- Alcohol. Heavy use of alcohol may increase your risk of colon cancer.
Risk factors that cannot be changed, include:
- Older age. The great majority of people diagnosed with colon cancer are older than 50. Colon cancer can occur in younger people, but it occurs much less frequently.
- African-American race. African-Americans have a greater risk of colon cancer than do people of other races.
- A personal history of colorectal cancer or polyps. If you've already had colon cancer or adenomatous polyps, you have a greater risk of colon cancer in the future.
- Inflammatory intestinal conditions. Chronic inflammatory diseases of the colon, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, can increase your risk of colon cancer.
- Inherited syndromes that increase colon cancer risk. Genetic syndromes passed through generations of your family can increase your risk of colon cancer. These syndromes include familial adenomatous polyposis and hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer, which is also known as Lynch syndrome.
- Family history of colon cancer. You're more likely to develop colon cancer if you have a parent, sibling or child with the disease. If more than one family member has colon cancer or rectal cancer, your risk is even greater.
- Radiation therapy for cancer. Radiation therapy directed at the abdomen to treat previous cancers may increase the risk of colon cancer.
- People with diabetes and insulin resistance may have an increased risk of colon cancer. Lifestyle and diet changes can improve the health of those living with diabetes.
There are other risk factors that cannot be changed, including age, race, family history of colon cancer, and inherited syndromes. Certain conditions such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis can also increase your risk of colon cancer. Learn more about risk factors of colon cancer on Beebe’s Health Hub.
American Cancer Society - Colon Cancer
National Institutes of Health - Colon Cancer
To schedule a colorectal cancer screening, contact Beebe’s Cancer Screening Nurse Navigator, Deb Campbell, MSN, RN. For more information regarding Beebe’s oncology services, including colon cancer treatment, call 302-645-3770.
