Conditions & Treatments, Health & Wellness, Technology
Preventative Health Screening: Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer, commonly known as colon cancer, is the second leading cause of cancer death of both men and women in the United States. While the incidence of new cases has dropped from around 132,000 in 2010 to about 97,000 today, the death rate has only dropped from approximately 52,000 in 2010 to roughly 50,000 today.
While the death rate doesn’t seem to be lowering much, it actually has dropped 20% over the past 20 years. This is mainly due to people having preventative colorectal cancer screenings, which allow medical professionals to find polyps and remove them before they turn into cancer. Experts suggest that at least 60% of colorectal cancer deaths could be prevented through proper screening.
Through the questions and answers below, discover more about colorectal cancer, risks and screenings.
What is colorectal cancer?
All cancers starts when cells start to grow out of control somewhere in the body. Unlike regular cells that die, cancer cells grow and invade other parts of the body. For colorectal cancer, the cells eventually develop into a polyp. While most polyps are not cancerous, removing them early helps prevent them from becoming cancer. Adencarcinomas – which makes up about 95% of all colon and rectal cancers – start in gland cells, such as the cells that line the inside of the colon and rectum.
What are some risk factors for colorectal cancer?
- Smoking
- Diet of fatty foods
- Lack of exercise
- Alcohol abuse
- Overweight
- Age
- Family history
- Ethnic background
- Type 2 diabetes
What are some screenings to detect colon cancer?
Experts suggest that people be screened starting at 50 and continue until age 75. Here are 3 of the most common types of health screenings, how often people should have it and what they involve:
- Annually – A fecal occult blood test checks bowel movements for blood.
- Every 3 – 5 years – A doctor looks for polyps or cancer in the rectum and lower third of the colon through a flexible sigmoidoscopy.
- Every decade – A doctor views the entire colon either through a colonoscopy or virtual colonoscopy with CT scans.
These tests are for those at low risk. People with average to high risk may need other testing and more often. Your doctor will be able to access your colon cancer risk and suggest the proper course of tests.
For more information about colorectal cancer, read additional details at American Cancer Society.
If you feel the information in this article could help someone you know, please share it.
Sources
http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/colorectal/
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/colonpolyps_ez/#what
http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/colorectal/basic_info/screening/infographic.htm
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