Wellness Guide: Colorectal Cancer

What You Should Know

• Colorectal cancer starts with small growths called polyps that grow in the colon or rectum. It may take polyps many years to become cancerous so finding them early is important. Not all polyps will become cancerous. ¹

• Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death among women. ²

• If caught early, colorectal cancer is highly treatable and often curable. ³

• Most people don't have symptoms of colorectal cancer or polyps until the disease is advanced. However, some common symptoms are change in bowel habits, frequent stomach pain or cramps that happen for no reason, and/or blood in your stool. These symptoms don't mean that you have cancer, but they should be evaluated by your health care provider.

• Women who have a family history of colorectal cancer or polyps or inflammatory bowel disease are at higher risk than women with no family history.

• The risk of colorectal cancer increases with age. Most people with colorectal cancer are 50 years of age and older. ¹

 

References:

¹ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

² American Cancer Society, Cancer Facts & Figures 2004

³ Johnson, B. A. (1999). Flexible sigmoidoscopy: Screening for colorectal cancer. American Family Physician. Retrieved on October 6, 2004 from http://www.aafp.org/afp/990115ap/313.html

⁴ National Digestive Disease Information Clearinghouse

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