Abrons Family Practice and Urgent Care
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Health Tips
MARCH HEALTH TIPS
Colorectal Cancer Screening
What is colorectal cancer?
Colon cancer is cancer of the large intestine (called the colon). Rectal cancer is cancer of the rectum (which is the part of the large intestine closest to the anus). These forms of cancer have many common features. They are often referred to together as colorectal cancer.
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Many of thes deaths happen because the cancers are found too late to be effectively treated. If colorectal cancer is found early enough, it is usually very treatable and not life-threatened.
What are the signs and symptom of colorectal cancer?
Most colorectal cancers begin as a polyp. At first, a polyp is a small, harmless growth in the wall of the colon. However, as a polyp gets larger, it can develop into a cancer that grows and spreads.
See your doctor if you have any of the following warning signs:
* Bleeding from your rectum
* Blood in your stool or in the toilet after you
have a bowel movement
* A change in the shape or consistency of your
stool (such as diarrhea or constipation lasting
several weeks)
* Cramping pain in the lower stomach
* A feeling of discomfort or an urge to have a
bowel movement when there is no need to
have one
* Weakness or fatigue
* Unintended weight loss
Other conditions can cause these same symptoms. You should see your doctor to find what is causing the symptoms.
What are screening tests for colorectal cancer?
Screening tests can find polyps or cancers before they are large enough to cause any symptoms. Screening tests are important because early detection means that the cancer can be more effectively treated. Your doctor will choose the tests taht are right for you.
When should I be screened for colorectal cancer?
Colorectal cancer is more common in older people, so doctors usually screen people 50 years of age and older. Some people have risk factors that make them more likely to get colorectal cancer at a young age. Screening should begin earlier in the people.
* You have had colorectal cancer or polyps in the
past
* You have a family history of colorectal cancer
or polyps
* You have elcerative colits or Crohn's disease
* You have a hereditary colon cancer syndrome
* You eat a high-fat, low-fiber diet
If you are in one of these groups, you may also need to be tested more often than a person who doesn't have risk factors for colorectal cancer.
Any one of the screening programs (with a digital rectal exam at each screening) may be used every 5 to 10 years, beginning at 50 years of age.
Talk to your family doctor to decide which sceening tests you should have and how often you should be screened. If you don't have any risk factors for colorectal cancer, you will probably have your first screening test around 50 years of age.
Colorectal Cancer Screening
What is colorectal cancer?
Colon cancer is cancer of the large intestine (called the colon). Rectal cancer is cancer of the rectum (which is the part of the large intestine closest to the anus). These forms of cancer have many common features. They are often referred to together as colorectal cancer.
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Many of thes deaths happen because the cancers are found too late to be effectively treated. If colorectal cancer is found early enough, it is usually very treatable and not life-threatened.
What are the signs and symptom of colorectal cancer?
Most colorectal cancers begin as a polyp. At first, a polyp is a small, harmless growth in the wall of the colon. However, as a polyp gets larger, it can develop into a cancer that grows and spreads.
See your doctor if you have any of the following warning signs:
* Bleeding from your rectum
* Blood in your stool or in the toilet after you
have a bowel movement
* A change in the shape or consistency of your
stool (such as diarrhea or constipation lasting
several weeks)
* Cramping pain in the lower stomach
* A feeling of discomfort or an urge to have a
bowel movement when there is no need to
have one
* Weakness or fatigue
* Unintended weight loss
Other conditions can cause these same symptoms. You should see your doctor to find what is causing the symptoms.
What are screening tests for colorectal cancer?
Screening tests can find polyps or cancers before they are large enough to cause any symptoms. Screening tests are important because early detection means that the cancer can be more effectively treated. Your doctor will choose the tests taht are right for you.
When should I be screened for colorectal cancer?
Colorectal cancer is more common in older people, so doctors usually screen people 50 years of age and older. Some people have risk factors that make them more likely to get colorectal cancer at a young age. Screening should begin earlier in the people.
* You have had colorectal cancer or polyps in the
past
* You have a family history of colorectal cancer
or polyps
* You have elcerative colits or Crohn's disease
* You have a hereditary colon cancer syndrome
* You eat a high-fat, low-fiber diet
If you are in one of these groups, you may also need to be tested more often than a person who doesn't have risk factors for colorectal cancer.
Any one of the screening programs (with a digital rectal exam at each screening) may be used every 5 to 10 years, beginning at 50 years of age.
Talk to your family doctor to decide which sceening tests you should have and how often you should be screened. If you don't have any risk factors for colorectal cancer, you will probably have your first screening test around 50 years of age.
Helpful Medical Links:
AAFP Family Doctor
American Academy of Pediatrics Parenting
Corner
Discovery Health
WebMD
AAFP Family Doctor
American Academy of Pediatrics Parenting
Corner
Discovery Health
WebMD
