Colorectal (Colon) Cancer
Colorectal cancer is cancer that occurs in the colon
or rectum. Sometimes it is called colon
cancer, for short. As the drawing shows,
the colon is the large intestine or large bowel. The
rectum is the passageway that connects the colon to
the anus.
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Colorectal cancer affects both men and women
of all racial and ethnic groups, and is most
often found in people aged 50 years or older.
For men, colorectal cancer is the third most
common cancer after prostate and lung cancers.
For women, colorectal cancer is the third
most common cancer after breast and lung cancers.
Colorectal
cancer is the second leading
cancer killer in the United States, but it
doesn't have to be. If everybody aged 50 or
older had regular screening tests, as many
as 60% of deaths from colorectal cancer could
be prevented.
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Colorectal cancer screening saves lives. Screening
can find precancerous polyps—abnormal growths
in the colon or rectum—so that they can be removed
before turning into cancer. Screening also helps find
colorectal cancer at an early stage, when treatment
often leads to a cure.
If you are aged 50 or older, or think you may be
at higher than average risk for colorectal cancer,
speak with your doctor about getting screened.
Symptoms
Colorectal cancer first develops with few, if any,
symptoms. However, if symptoms are present, they may
include:
Blood in or on the stool
A change in bowel habits
Stools that are narrower than usual
General, unexplained stomach discomfort
Frequent gas, pains or indigestion;
Unexplained weight loss
Chronic fatigue
These symptoms can also be associated with many other
health conditions. If you have any of these symptoms,
discuss them with your doctor. Only your doctor can
determine why you're having these symptoms.
Risk Factors
The risk of developing colorectal cancer increases
with advancing age. More than 90% of cases occur in
people aged 50 or older. Other risk factors include:
Inflammatory bowel disease
A personal or family history of colorectal cancer
or colorectal polyps
Certain hereditary syndromes
Lifestyle factors that may contribute to increased
risk of colorectal cancer include:
Lack of regular physical activity
Low fruit and vegetable intake
A low-fiber and high-fat diet
Overweight and obesity
Alcohol consumption
Tobacco use
