Facts About Colorectal Cancer

What is colorectal cancer?

Colorectal cancer is cancer of the colon or rectum. Most types of colorectal cancer begin with polyps (grape-shaped growths on the lining of the colon and rectum). Removing a polyp early may prevent it from becoming cancer. Polyps are very common in people older than 50 years of age and usually are benign (not cancerous), but some polyps can slowly develop over the years into cancer.

What are the symptoms of colorectal cancer?

Colorectal cancer begins in the digestive system and symptoms may differ depending on where the cancer starts. In its early stages, colorectal cancer often has no symptoms, which is why screening tests are important. People who have symptoms may have a change in bowel habits, diarrhea, constipation or a feeling that the bowel does not empty completely. They also may experience bright red or very dark blood in the stool, stools that are narrower than normal, discomfort in the abdomen including frequent gas pains, bloating, fullness or cramps, weight loss with no known reason, constant and extreme tiredness, vomiting and anemia (low iron in the blood).

Some of these symptoms can be caused by other conditions. Talk with your health care provider if you think you are having any of these symptoms.

Who should be concerned about colorectal cancer?

While it does not get the attention of other cancers, colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer (excluding skin cancer) in the United States and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Risks factors include:

- Age: Chances of developing colorectal cancer increase after age 50. More than 90 percent of people diagnosed with colorectal cancer are older than 50.
- Personal history of colorectal cancer: If you have had colorectal cancer, even though it has been completely removed, you are more likely to develop new cancers in the colon and rectum.
- A personal history of colorectal polyps: If you have had an adenomatous-type polyp, you are at increased risk for developing colorectal cancer, especially if the polyps are large or if there are many of them.
- A personal history of chronic inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): If you have IBD, including ulcerative colitis or Crohn's Disease, you should begin having a screening colonoscopy eight to 12 years after being diagnosed.
- A family history of colorectal cancer: Some cancers “run in the family” because something in the environment has contributed to the development of cancer and/or because certain family members were born with or inherited an increased susceptibility to cancer.- : High fat diet, lack of physical activity, obesity, smoking and heavy use of alcohol all play a role in colorectal cancer.