March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. This disease is made up of cancer of the large colon and rectum. While they have many similarities they are treated differently. Together they are the third most common cancer as and the number 3 cause of cancer deaths in both men and women. One hundred fifty new cases nationally are expected this year, 2,440 in Louisiana. The good news is that the death rate has been dropping annually since 1985.
Risk factors over which we have control includes being overweight/obesity, sedentary lifestyle, diet high in red and processed meats, diet high in fried food, low levels of vitamin D, smoking as well as moderate to heavy alcohol consumption. Increasing age, personal history of ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, family history of colon cancer as well as previously found colonic polyps are some of the risk factors of which we have no control. There are some hereditary syndromes associated with an increase of risk of colorectal cancer.
So how do we prevent colorectal cancer. The answer is linked in the risk factors above. Basically, we need to get closer to our ideal body weight, exercise more and change our diet by eating more vegetables, fruits and whole grains. Taking a one a day multivitamin and calcium in some studies has proved helpful. Quit smoking and consume less alcohol.
If you experience some of these signs and symptoms for longer than a few days you might want to visit your primary care provider:
1. Change in bowel habits: diarrhea, constipation or thin ribbon like stools
2. Not feeling like you have not emptied your bowel after a bowel movement
3. Blood in the stool or dark brown, black stools
4. Cramping and abdominal pain
5. Unexplained weight loss weakness or fatigue
Colorectal cancer is one of the few cancers for which we have effective screening. Screening is based on direct visualization such as colonoscopy or on stool sample tests. Colonoscopy requires some prep and usually performed every 10 years starting at the age of 45. If you have a family history of colorectal cancer then you would start screening at an earlier age. Stool based tests which can be done at home and require no prep but must be done more frequently, every 1-3 years depending on the test. If positive you might need a colonoscopy.
The treatment of colorectal cancer depends on the site. Colon cancer is usually treated with surgical resection and depending on the stage may or may not require chemotherapy afterwards. Rectal cancer is a little more complicated and treatment depends on the stage at diagnosis. Early-stage disease may be treated with surgery alone. More advanced stages may require radiation and chemotherapy prior to surgery. Today the majority of cases do not have to have a colostomy or “bag.” Of course, everyone’s cancer treatment is individualized for them and involves your oncology team.
Colon and rectal cancer is preventable, has effective screening and detection methods, recognizable signs and symptoms. There are modern day treatments. All of this is leading to a decrease in death from colorectal cancer!