Colorectal cancer ranks as the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S. It’s called a “silent killer” due to its lack of symptoms. Colon cancer often goes undiagnosed until it progresses to later stages, making treatment difficult. However, early detection can lead to a complete cure for colorectal cancer.
Today, over 1.4 million survivors of colorectal cancer live in the U.S. This success largely stems from awareness, screening, treatment programs, and educational initiatives like Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in March. The American Cancer Society now recommends colorectal cancer screenings begin at age 45, lowered from 50.
While overall colorectal cancer rates have dropped, deaths of people under 55 have increased 1% yearly from 2008 to 2017. This rise among young and middle-aged people highlights the importance of early detection.
Key Takeaways
- Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S.
- Early detection can lead to a complete cure, with over 1.4 million survivors.
- Screening guidelines recommend starting colorectal cancer screenings at age 45.
- While overall rates have dropped, deaths in younger people have increased.
- Understanding symptoms, risk factors, and early detection’s importance is crucial for saving lives.
Understanding Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer starts in the colon or rectum. The colon and rectum form the large intestine. Colon cancer and rectal cancer share many traits.
What is Colorectal Cancer?
Colorectal cancer is abnormal cell growth in the colon or rectum. These abnormal cells can form tumors. If untreated, they may spread throughout the body. Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in the U.S.
Colon Cancer vs. Rectal Cancer
The key difference between colon cancer and rectal cancer is tumor location. Colon cancer starts in the colon. Rectal cancer starts in the rectum. Both types can spread if not detected and treated early.
| Characteristic | Colon Cancer | Rectal Cancer |
|---|---|---|
| Location | Starts in the colon | Starts in the rectum |
| Symptoms | May include abdominal pain, blood in stool, change in bowel habits | May include rectal bleeding, change in bowel habits, feeling of incomplete evacuation |
| Treatment | Often includes surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiation therapy | Often includes a combination of surgery, chemotherapy, and/or radiation therapy |
| Prognosis | Depends on stage at diagnosis, but with early detection and treatment, the 5-year survival rate is around 90% | Depends on stage at diagnosis, but with early detection and treatment, the 5-year survival rate is around 90% |
While colon cancer and rectal cancer differ, they share risk factors, screening, and treatment approaches. Thus, they’re often jointly referred to as colorectal cancer.
Colon Cancer Symptoms
Early Signs and Symptoms
In the initial stages of colon cancer, there are frequently no obvious signs. This emphasizes the significance of colon cancer screening. Common early indicators include abdominal discomfort, blood in stool, diarrhea or constipation, narrow stools, and unexplained weight loss.
These early colon cancer symptoms can be subtle and easily overlooked. Regular screening is essential for early detection.
Advanced Symptoms
As colon cancer progresses, more severe symptoms may manifest. These include intense abdominal pain, inability to pass stool (bowel obstruction), and significant weight loss.
| Early Colon Cancer Symptoms | Advanced Colon Cancer Symptoms |
|---|---|
| Abdominal pain or tenderness in the lower abdomen | Severe abdominal pain |
| Blood in the stool | Bowel obstruction (inability to pass stool) |
| Diarrhea | Significant weight loss |
| Constipation or other change in bowel habits | |
| Narrow stools | |
| Unexplained weight loss |
The absence of symptoms in early colon cancer highlights the importance of screening. Screening enables detection when the disease is most treatable.
Risk Factors for Colon Cancer
Certain factors influence colorectal cancer risk. Some can be modified through lifestyle changes. Understanding these colon cancer risk factors is crucial for early detection and prevention.
Age and Family History
The risk of colon cancer increases with age, more common after 50. Those with a family history of colon cancer or adenomatous polyps face higher risks. Around one-third of colorectal cancer cases have family members affected.
Lifestyle and Diet
Being overweight or obese, especially in men, links to higher colorectal cancer risks. A diet high in red and processed meats can also raise the risk.
Eating fruits, vegetables, and whole grains may help reduce the risk. Smoking tobacco and moderate to heavy alcohol use are associated with increased colorectal cancer risks.
Colon Cancer Screening
Regular colon cancer screening helps detect cancer early. Screening finds small, localized cancers. These are easier to treat.
Consistent screening prevents colon cancer. Cancer may be stopped before forming.
Screening Guidelines
Average-risk individuals need a colonoscopy every ten years from age 45. Or, combine stool tests with flexible sigmoidoscopy.
Higher-risk people require more frequent testing.
Types of Screening Tests
Screening tests include colonoscopy, multitarget stool DNA test, and fecal immunochemical test/fecal occult blood test (FIT/FOBT).
Colon Cancer Diagnosis
Colorectal cancer is most treatable when found early. There are now several test options for colon cancer diagnosis.
If abnormal results are found on non-colonoscopy screening tests, a timely colonoscopy should confirm the diagnosis and determine cancer stage.
Colon cancer stages range from 0 to 4. Stage 0 indicates cancer within the colon lining. Stage 4 means cancer spread to other body areas.
Staging tests like imaging scans help understand cancer’s extent.
Blood tests such as CEA track carcinoembryonic antigen levels over time. This monitors treatment response and potential recurrence.
This information is essential for colon cancer diagnosis and the appropriate course of action.
Early detection through regular screening is key for successful colon cancer diagnosis and treatment.
By staying informed and proactive about available testing options, individuals safeguard their colorectal health.
Colon Cancer Stages
The stage of colon cancer impacts treatment and outlook. Staging depends on tumor size, location, and cancer spread. Understanding stages helps create effective treatment plans.
Cancer detected early has a high 5-year survival rate. Early stages mean cancer is localized in the colon. Around 4 in 10 cases are found early.
Early stage treatments involve surgery, polyp removal, or partial colectomy. Follow-up colonoscopies may monitor progress.
Early Stages
Early colon cancer stages have a 5-year survival rate up to 90%. Cancer hasn’t spread beyond the colon at this point.
Treatments include surgery like polyp removal or partial colectomy. Sometimes follow-up colonoscopies monitor the patient.
Advanced Stages
As stages progress, survival rates decrease. When cancer spreads outside the colon to lymph nodes or organs, 5-year survival drops.
Advanced stages need extensive treatment like surgery plus chemo or targeted therapy. This aims to control disease spread.
Patients need frequent appointments and monitoring to manage their condition.
colon cancer symptoms treatment
Colon cancer is most treatable when detected early. The primary treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.
Surgery
Surgery often treats colon cancer. Part of the colon containing cancer is removed. This procedure, a colectomy, eliminates the tumor and surrounding tissue. It prevents cancer’s further spread.
Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy may be used before or after surgery. This systemic treatment kills remaining cancer cells. It reduces the risk of recurrence. It improves outcomes for colon cancer patients.
Radiation Therapy
Radiation therapy shrinks tumors before surgery. It kills remaining cancer cells after surgery. Combined with chemotherapy, it effectively treats colon cancer.
Colon Cancer Prevention
Good habits reduce colon cancer risk, but don’t eliminate it. Taking initiative protects health through regular screening and healthy lifestyle choices. Regular colorectal cancer screening finds cancer early when small and treatable.
It can even prevent cancer by removing precancerous polyps. This powerful tool against the disease is essential.
Lifestyle Changes
Adopting a colon cancer prevention lifestyle makes a big difference. Maintain a low-fat, high-fiber diet with fruits, veggies, and whole grains. Avoid excessive alcohol and tobacco use.
Regular physical activity and a healthy weight also reduce colon cancer risk.
Regular Screening
Healthcare professionals recommend adults aged 45-75 undergo regular colorectal cancer screenings. This facilitates early detection and treatment through colonoscopies, stool tests, or combined methods.
Those with increased risk factors like family history or certain conditions may need earlier screening.
Support and Resources
A colon cancer diagnosis brings emotional and financial challenges. However, resources provide support.
From support groups to financial aid, colon cancer patients can find helpful resources.
These resources improve well-being and life quality during and after treatment.
Emotional Support
Joining a colon cancer emotional support group offers a supportive community.
These groups provide a safe space to share experiences and coping strategies.
Individual counseling also helps process emotions and develop healthy coping mechanisms.
Financial Assistance
Colon cancer treatment costs can be a significant financial burden.
Organizations offer grants and colon cancer financial assistance for treatment and living costs.
Government programs like disability income provide additional financial support when needed.
Conclusion
Colon cancer is a severe illness. But with early detection and proper treatment, survival chances increase significantly. Regular colon cancer screening, starting at 45 or earlier for high-risk individuals, is crucial. It helps find and treat colon cancer in its earliest, most treatable stages.
Understanding symptoms, risk factors, screening, and treatment options allows taking proactive steps. This protects health and increases chances of beating the disease.
Although colon cancer remains a public health concern, advancements in research, screening, and treatment have improved outcomes. Prioritizing regular checkups and adopting healthier lifestyles reduces risk and improves overall well-being.
With continued education and quality healthcare access, the fight against colon cancer can become more manageable, saving more lives.
As the medical community explores innovative prevention and treatment approaches, staying informed and proactive about health is essential. Embracing available resources and support helps navigate this challenging journey with resilience and optimism, ultimately improving chances of a positive outcome.
FAQ
What is colorectal cancer?
Colorectal cancer starts in the colon or rectum, part of the large intestine. Colon and rectal cancers share many traits, so they’re often grouped as colorectal cancer.
What are the symptoms of colon cancer?
Early stages may have no symptoms. As it progresses, symptoms include abdominal pain, blood in stool, diarrhea, constipation, narrow stools, and unexplained weight loss. Advanced stages may cause severe abdominal pain, inability to pass stool, and significant weight loss.
What are the risk factors for colon cancer?
Risk factors include being over 45, alcohol consumption, smoking, colorectal polyps, family history, and inflammatory bowel disease. A diet high in red or processed meats also increases risk.
When should I get screened for colon cancer?
The American Cancer Society recommends colorectal cancer screening starts at age 45, lowered from the previous 50. Higher-risk individuals may need more frequent screening.
What types of screening tests are available for colon cancer?
Screening tests include colonoscopy, multitarget stool DNA test, and fecal immunochemical test/fecal occult blood test (FIT/FOBT). Abnormal non-colonoscopy tests require timely colonoscopy for diagnosis and staging.
How is colon cancer treated?
Main treatments are surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Surgery often removes cancerous colon part. Chemotherapy may be before or after surgery. Radiation therapy sometimes combines with chemotherapy.
What is the prognosis for colon cancer?
When found early before spreading, 5-year survival rate is about 90%. However, only 4 out of 10 cases are found early. Survival rates are lower when cancer has spread outside colon or rectum.
How can I prevent colon cancer?
Regular screening is powerful, finding cancer early or preventing it by removing precancerous polyps. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle like low-fat, high-fiber diet and avoiding excessive alcohol and tobacco also reduce risk.
What support resources are available for those affected by colon cancer?
Support resources include groups, counseling services, and financial assistance programs. It’s crucial for individuals to seek emotional and practical support to improve well-being and quality of life during and after treatment.