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Colorectal Cancer: Learn the Truth to Reduce Your Risk
According to the American Cancer Society, only about half of
those who should be screened for colorectal cancer take this potentially
life-saving step. Screening is critical to finding colorectal cancer in the
early stages when it’s highly treatable. People who aren’t getting screened may
not realize they are at risk. Get the facts about the risk of colorectal cancer
and why screening should be part of everyone’s healthcare routine.
Myth No. 1: If you have colorectal cancer, you would know.
There are early warning signs of colorectal cancer, but most
people have no symptoms at all. That’s why screening is so important. Screening
provides information your body may not. If you do experience symptoms, however,
talk with your doctor. Symptoms include abdominal pain, blood in your stools,
stools that are more narrow than usual, anemia, and unexpected weight loss.
Myth No. 2: You don’t have colorectal cancer in your family, so you’re not at risk.
Only 10 to 20% of people diagnosed with colorectal cancer
have a family member with the disease. About 75% of people diagnosed with
colorectal cancer don’t have any risk factors. If you do have a family member
with colorectal cancer, talk with your doctor about beginning your screening
routine sooner than the norm (before age 50) and scheduling your screenings
more frequently (more than once every 10 years).
Myth No. 3: Only older men get colorectal cancer.
Many people believe that those with colorectal cancer are older
white men. This is not true. Men and women of different ages and ethnicities
get colon cancer. Women are diagnosed with colorectal cancer almost as often as
men. Every year, approximately 71,000 American men and 64,000 American women
receive a colorectal cancer diagnosis. Colorectal cancer is, in fact, the third
leading cause of cancer death for women.
Myth No. 4: There’s nothing you can do to help prevent colorectal cancer.
There is actually a lot you can do to
help prevent colorectal cancer. Nearly all colorectal cancer cells begin as
non-cancerous polyps. If your doctor detects these polyps early, the polyps can
be removed before they become cancerous. Doctor use several screening tests to
detect polyps: colonoscopy, double-contrast barium enema, flexible
sigmoidoscopy, and minimally invasive virtual colonoscopy (CT colonoscopy). Ask
your doctor to recommend a test for you.
Myth No. 5: A colonoscopy is too painful.
Typically,
there is no pain associated with a colonoscopy. Your doctor will provide
sedation for the procedure, and the procedure only lasts about 30 minutes. The
day before a colonoscopy, you will receive an enema, take laxatives, or both in
order to clean out your system. This is called bowel prep. You’ll need to stay
close to a bathroom, so consider taking the day off. Since you’ll be sedated
for your colonoscopy, plan for someone to drive you home afterward.
Myth No. 6: Colorectal cancer can’t be treated, so it’s better not to know.
Absolutely false. Effective treatments are available for
colorectal cancer, especially if the cancer is caught early. The myth that
colorectal cancer is not treatable may be a self-fulfilling prophecy: Because many
people don’t follow screening recommendations, the cancer is not caught early
enough and treatment becomes more difficult. Due to a lack of screening, only 37%
of those with colorectal cancer receive a diagnosis at an early stage before
the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
Myth No. 7: The outlook isn’t good for those with colorectal cancer.
Not so. Of people diagnosed with colorectal cancer before it
spreads, 90% are still survivors five years later. The “five-year survival
rate” is an important benchmark for the treatability of any type of cancer and
other serious illnesses. If you are diagnosed with colorectal cancer, you won’t
be alone. Last year, 95,270 people were diagnosed with colorectal cancer in the
U.S. Today, more than 1 million Americans are colon cancer survivors.
