Health Division: Colorectal Cancer FAQ
What is colorectal cancer?
Colorectal cancer is an abnormal growth of cells in the large intestine and/or colon.
Why should you care about colorectal cancer?
It is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths in the United States for both men and women.
Risk Factors
- Over 50 years old
- Over 40 years old with family history of colorectal cancer
- Over 40 years old with personal and/or family history of chronic inflammatory bowel disease
- Over 40 years old with personal and/or family history of intestinal polyps or adenomas
- Obesity and physical inactivity
- Cigarette smoking
- High fat and low fiber diet
Anybody can get colorectal cancer. When detected early up to 90% of cases can be cured without surgery.
Symptoms and Signs
- Change in bowel habits
- Pencil or ribbon-shaped stools
- Sensation of incomplete bowel emptying
- Gas or bloating
- Occult blood in the stool or rectal bleeding
- Weakness, fatigue, malaise and anorexia
- Abdominal pain
Diagnostic tests for detection
- Digital rectal exam
- Fecal occult blood test
- Sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy
- Double-contrast barium enema
Prevention
- Low fat and high fiber diet (Lots of vegetables, fruits and whole grains)
- Regular physical activity (At least 30 minutes most days)
- Multivitamins-high in folic acid
- Anti-inflammatory drugs-Ask your healthcare provider before taking
- Early detection and removal of intestinal polyps
For more information concerning colorectal cancer please go to the following websites:
- American Cancer Society
- Harvard Center for Cancer Prevention
- Center for Disease Control's Division of Cancer Prevention & Control
- Screen for Life: The National Colorectal Cancer Action Center
- Colon Cancer Alliance for Survivors
- American Digestive Health Foundation
- American Gastroenterological Association
- National Cancer Institute
- Cancer Research Foundation of America & Colon Cancer Foundation
- The Group of Survivors Support Group