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Carolyn's Corner

Colorectal Cancer

Did you know that colorectal cancer (CRC) is the 4th most common cancer in the United States and the 2nd leading cause of cancer death in the United States for both men and women? The lifetime risk of developing CRC is about 1 in 25 in men and 1 in 26 in women. There is also a rise in the number of CRC cases in younger adults – a staggering 30% of people diagnosed with CRC are under the age of 55. 

Your risk of developing colorectal cancer increases as you get older and with certain personal factors, including: 

  • Tobacco use.
  • Alcohol use.
  • Overweight/obesity.
  • Poor diet low in fiber, fruits, and vegetables.
  • Lack of physical activity.
  • Inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.
  • Genetic syndromes, such as familial adenomatous polyposis and Lynch syndrome.

Symptoms of CRC: 

  • Change in bowel habit.
  • Blood in or on your stool.
  • Diarrhea, constipation, or the feeling that you are not emptying your bowels completely.
  • Abdominal pain, aches, or cramps that do not go away.
  • Unexplained weight loss.

So, let’s talk about survival rates and why screenings are so important. Oftentimes, colon cancer does not show any symptoms. Colon cancer starts as a polyp and usually develops very slowly over 10-15 years. If you have ever had a colon polyp removed, then you have been at risk of colon cancer. A five-year survival rate for CRC is about 91%, if found early (stages 1 and 2); however, the five-year survival rate drops significantly to only 13% if found in stage 4. Only a third of CRC are found in the early stages, which means providers and patients need to work together to get these screenings done. Waiting can cost you your life. Contact me today to learn how you can be screened.