Colorectal Cancer

WARNING SIGNS

• A change in bowel habits
• A change in the way bowel movements look
• Diarrhea or constipation
• Blood in bowel movements
• Frequent gas pains

RISK FACTORS

• Age 50 or older. The risk increases with age.
• Obesity. Obese women have a four-fold risk of colon cancer.
• A family history of cancer of the colon or rectum
• A personal history of cancer of the colon, rectum, ovary, endometrium or breast
• A history of polyps in the colon, ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease
• Physically inactive
• Eat a lot of red meat
• Use tobacco
• Average more than two alcoholic drinks per day

For more information on risk factors, read What Are the Risk Factors for Colorectal Cancer?

Assess your risk for colorectal cancer.

• Get regular screening tests beginning at age 50 – earlier if you have a family history of polyps or colorectal cancer.
• Choose a diet low in red meat, fat and refined carbs, and rich in whole grains, fruits and vegetables.
• Take a multivitamin with folate every day. This is particularly important for people with a family history of colon cancer.
• Exercise regularly. People who are physically active for at least 30 minutes a day have a lower risk of colon cancer.
• Maintain a healthy body weight.
• If you drink, do so moderately – no more than one alcoholic drink a day for women and two for men.
• Take an aspirin every day. (Check with your doctor first.)
• Don't smoke. Studies show that smokers are twice as likely to have precancerous polyps; in smokers over age 50, the odds are three times greater. 

For more information on preventive behaviors, read Can Colorectal Cancer Be Prevented?

EARLY DETECTION

Tests that find polyps and cancer

• Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years. A doctor inserts a long, lighted tube into the rectum and part of the colon to check for polyps and cancer. A colonoscopy should follow if test results are positive.
• Colonoscopy every 10 years. Similar to sigmoidoscopy, this test is able to check the entire colon for polyps and cancer. 
• Double contract barium enema every 5 years. A doctor takes a special X-ray of your colon and rectum to check for polyps and cancer.
• CT colonoscopy (virtual colonscopy) every 5 years. A colonoscopy should follow if test results are positive.

Tests that mainly find cancer

• Fecal occult blood test (FOBT) every year. You can do this test at home, using a special kit from a doctor or nurse.
• Fecal immunochemical test (FIT) every year.
• Stool DNA test (sDNA), interval uncertain. 

Talk to your doctor about testing earlier and/or more frequently if you have any of the following risk factors: 

• A personal history of colorectal cancer or adenomatous polyps.
• A personal history of chronic inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis)
• A strong family history of colorectal cnacer or polyps (cancer or polyps in a first-degree relative (parent, sibling or child) younger than 60 or in two or more first-degree relatives of any age)
• A known family history of hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer (HNPCC)

For more information on early detection, read Can Colorectal Cancer Be Found Early?  

TREATMENT OPTIONS 

Many different treatments and combinations of treatments may be used to control lung cancer, depending on the size, location and extent of the tumor, and the general health of the patient. 

The NexProfiler™ is an interactive tool that provides evidence-based, peer-reviewed medical literature to help cancer patients and their physicians make more informed treatment decisions. It is brought to you by Evergreen Healthcare and NexCura Inc. 

The Evergreen Cancer Program provides a complete array of treatment options, including surgery, chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Evergreen uses the most sophisticated diagnostic technologies, including PET/CT, to stage and monitor treatment. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION