Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer refers to cancer of the colon or rectum, it is the third most common cause of cancer related death in the U.S. per year. It affects both men and women. Colorectal cancer typically develops from precancerous growths in the colon or rectum called polyps. A colonoscopy is a procedure that allows abnormal growths to be detected and removed before they turn into cancer or in the early stage of cancer development when it is highly curable. Colonoscopies are an important tool for both cancer prevention and early detection!
Risk Factors
The exact cause of colorectal cancer is not known. But the following are possible risk factors:
Risk factors you can't control, but should be aware of:
- Being Older
- Being African American
- Having a personal or family history of polyps or inflammatory bowel disease or cancer
Risk factors you can control:
- Excessive alcohol use
- Lack of exercise
- Obesity (having too much fat around the waist)
- Smoking
- Diet high in fat and low in fiber
Signs and Symptoms
- Change in bowel habits or stools that are narrower than usual
- Rectal bleeding or blood in the stool
- Stomach discomfort (bloating, fullness or cramps)
- Unexplained anemia
- Unexplained weight loss