Colorectal Cancer: Five Things You Need To Know
Posted by Brigham and Women's Hospital March 4, 2014
Thanks to increased awareness, the death rate from colorectal cancer has been dropping for more than 20 years.
Contributor: Dr. Jeffrey Meyerhardt is the clinical director of the Gastrointestinal Cancer Treatment Center at Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center.
Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the U.S., with about 134,490 new patients diagnosed in the U.S. in 2016. But thanks to increased awareness about screenings, the death rate from colorectal cancer has been dropping for more than 20 years.
“For the most part, colorectal cancer is a curable and preventable disease,” says Dr. Jeffrey Meyerhardt, clinical director of the Gastrointestinal Cancer Treatment Center at Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center. “It is a cancer where we have very good data that shows screening prevents disease and saves lives.”
Below are answers to some key questions about the disease:
1. What are the risk factors for colorectal cancer?
Age and gender can increase the chance of developing colorectal cancer. Other risk factors include:
- A family history of colon or rectal cancer
- A personal history of cancer in the colon, rectum, ovary, endometrium, or breast
- A history of polyps (small pieces of bulging tissue) in the colon or rectum
- A history of ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease
- Certain hereditary conditions, such as familial adenomatous polyposis and hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer.
- Obesity
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Certain dietary factors, including high intake of red and processed meat
2. How do doctors screen for colorectal cancer?
Aside from a physical exam to check general signs of health, other screening options include a fecal occult blood test, a double contrast Barium enema (lower GI series), a sigmoidoscopy, a colonoscopy or a virtual colonoscopy (colonography or CT colonography).
3. How often should you be screened?
Risk factors and health history will determine how often you should be screened for colorectal cancer and at what age you should start screening. For most patients, screening is recommended to start at age 50. However, if you have a family history or other risk factors for colorectal cancer, you should discuss with your doctor whether you should start screening earlier.
The frequency of the screening will depend on which test was used to screen, what was found, and your risk factors for colorectal cancer. It is important to know that these screening guidelines refer to patients with no concerning signs or symptoms. If you are having blood in your stool, for example, you should consult with your doctor.
4. What are the symptoms of colorectal cancer?
One of the most common signs of colorectal cancer includes a change in bowel habits or blood in the stool. Others include:
- Diarrhea, constipation, or feeling that the bowel does not empty completely
- Stools that are narrower than usual
- Frequent gas pains, bloating, fullness, or cramps
- Weight loss for no known reason
- Persistent tiredness
- Vomiting
5. How is colorectal cancer treated?
Surgery to remove the cancer is the most common treatment for all stages of colorectal cancer. There are several different types of surgery that can be performed depending on the cancer stage and location. If surgery is not sufficient, a doctor may also decide to use chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy.
There are also several targeted therapy options for colorectal cancer, including treatment with monoclonal antibodies.
Patients may also want to consider enrolling in a clinical trial for colorectal cancer. Dana-Farber currently has several trials open for colorectal cancer patients and the National Cancer Institute maintains a list of clinical trials at clinicaltrials.gov.
This post originally appeared on Insight, the blog of Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
comments (10)
I am a 73 year old male and I had been going for regular colonoscopies every 3 years with only the discovery of polyps.I MISSED MY SCHEDULED COLONOSCOPY BY ONE YEAR.I was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer in September,2014. Had the colonectomy surgery in October, 2014. Received 4 months of chemo post surgery. I am doing fine at this time – Cancer Free.The only residual is lingering chemo induced neuropathy in both hands and feet. THE MORAL OF THE STORY IS: DO NOT MISS YOUR SCHEDULED COLONOSCOPY. YOU DO GET GREAT CARE AT B&W HOSP. and DANA FARBER.
on March 3, 2016 4:04 pmI had ulcerative colitis for almost 39 years an was finally diagnosed with first stage colorectal cancer when I was almost 70 years old. I was lucky in that I did not require either chemo therapy or radiation, but the down side is that I now wear a ostomy bag, but I am cancer free…I’ve adjusted and have moved on with life. Better to be vertical than horizontal!
on March 3, 2016 11:23 amI hope that everyone reading this heeds the warnings for early detection. For those fearful of a colonoscopy, do not be! It was one of the easier things I’ve ever done. They used twilight sedation so I slept through it. No pain at all. The only downside is the prepping you need to do first. Kind of messy, for sure, just choose a time when you have no other place to be, focus on following the instructions exactly, and you will be fine!
on January 27, 2016 10:15 pmGreat article!! My grandmother diagnosed with stage 2 colon cancer. The doctor recommend surgery for that.
on November 4, 2015 11:58 amI was diagnosed with poly at age 40yrs.Symptoms every time I ate I had to run to the toilet,first they nervous problem tried acupuncture no good.Finally Barium enema found two polyps,I am going for check up every five years.Now I am 76yrs.So start checking from 40 yrs.I have seen my sister die at 74yrs after suffering a lot for three years.
on November 17, 2014 3:57 amCertain high stress + toxic exposure jobs are now being recognized as a factor. My brother was a firefighter, and had his first colonoscopy at age 52, but it was already Stage III. Despite aggressive treatment and two remission periods, he died at age 58. He probably should have had that colonoscopy 5-10 years earlier.
on November 14, 2014 7:40 pm50 is too late. I was diagnosed with stage 2 when I got my first recommended screening. No risk factors or family history.
on October 18, 2014 12:46 amI was diagnosed with rectal cancer last year at the age of 41. My symptoms were rectal bleeding which is not listed above 🙂 Had I not gone in and had my doctor at Brigham and Womens Hospital recommend a colonoscopy my prognosis would have been dire. I would always opt for colonoscopy more often than not. They told me my cancer was most likely there for two years!
on October 11, 2014 12:35 pmHi Maria,
Thanks for your comment. A physician who knows all the details of your health history can best advise you on the appropriate interval for colonoscopy screening. If you would like to get a second opinion, our new patient coordinators can help you find a gastroenterologist at 1-855-278-8009.
on April 9, 2014 6:10 pmHistory of colon polyps, colonoscopy every five years. Last colonoscopy with polyp removal, 2010, age 77 years. At that time,told no further colonoscopy needed because any new polyps would take five years to be cancerous and a few more years to cause problems. Is this sound advice?
Thank you
on March 20, 2014 11:21 am