Colorectal Cancer

With the extremely high number of diagnosed cases of colorectal cancer each year combined with the high mortality rate, this second leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S., should be screened for regularly. 

The beginning stage of the cancer is usually a small polyp, a growth on the inside of the colon, that eventually becomes cancerous, although most polyps remain benign.

Colon cancer, and cancer of the rectum can often advance without prominent symtoms, yet another reason why these cancers are so alarming...and deadly. Sometimes the suffurer will start to notice a change in bowel habits or bleeding, but a screening is the best proactive measure to detect the disease as early as possible. Never rely on how you feel or assume you will notice 'something wrong' to detect this cancer. By the time most people would know that something is not right, it would be too late.

A routine screening procedure is the colonoscophy. If the cancer is found early, the course of treatment is often surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy.

The exact cause(s) of colon and/or rectum cancer are not known, but diet is the most likely the major contributing factor. Diets high in animal fat and protein are sometimes thought to be suspect in forming these cancers. Other theories are that red meat is conducive in developing colorectal cancer, while some believe that it's not the meat itself, but the way (and at what temperature) that it's cooked.

What is universally accepted is that a diet high in fruits, vegetables, nuts, whole grains and cereals, and considered low-fat is certainly better than what many Americans consume daily.

It is also known that heredity, as in many cancers, is an indicator that an individual is at a high risk. Also, some other diseases, such as Crohn's, is associated with colon cancer.

There is another school of thought that believes heavy exposure to certain types of chemicals can be a cause of this deadly cancer. Asbestos stands out significantly, mainly because it has been shown to produce colon polyps from which the cancers grow. Even heavy exposure to chlorine is believed to be a possible cause. Chlorine is used commonly to treat drinking water and to treat the water for swimming pools.

Some believe that aspirin may help prevent hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC), or Lynch syndrome, an inherited form of colorectal cancer, but for those low risk individuals, without a family history of colorectal cancer, diagnosis and prevention can be tricky.

A healthy diet is always the first course of agreed upon preventive measures. Regularly exercise is often believed to be very helpful in preventing the disease, but regularly daily exercise should be sought by everyone just as a step in obtaining the best health possible.

As with most cancers, and even diseases in general, the best prognosis is when the disease is detected early. A rectal exam, fecal occult blood test, colonoscopy and a sigmoidoscopy are the common diagnostic tools available to help detect colorectal cancer.

A digital exam and fecal occult blood test is recommended annunally, starting at age 50.

A flexible sigmoidoscopy is recommended every 5 years, starting at age 50. This is an outpatient procedure for examining the inside of the lower portion of the large intestine, called the sigmoid colon. A special instrument with a tiny camera attached is used.

A colonoscopy is recommended every 10 years starting at age 50. This is an outpatient procedure in which a physician uses a long, flexible instrument -- about ½ inch in diameter -- inserted into the rectum to view the rectum and entire colon.

An air contrast barium enema can be performed once every 5-10 years starting at age 50. During this procedure a barium enema is given and then air is blown in to make the barium spread over the lining of the colon, producing an outline of the colon on X-ray. This helps to reveal any irregularities in the lining, such as a polyp.

Individuals that are considered to be at high risk for colorectal cancer should normally be screened earlier, and more often that those considered lower risk. Your doctor can advise you on your specific recommendations.

Note: Flexible sigmoidoscopy, air contrast barium enema, and colonoscopy are interchangeable. Your doctor will pick which screening test is best for you. However, colonoscopy is the most accurate and offers the possibility of treating polyps when they are found.