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. ³

 

References:

¹ American Cancer Society (2010). What is colorectal cancer? Retrieved June 1, 2010 from http://www.cancer.org/cancer/colonandrectumcancer/detailedguide/colorectal-cancer-what-is-colorectal-cancer

²American Cancer Society (2010). What are they key statistics about colorectal cancer? Retrieved June 1, 2010 from http://www.cancer.org/cancer/colonandrectumcancer/detailedguide/colorectal-cancer-key-statistics

³ MedlinePlus. Colon Cancer. Retrieved on June 1, 2010 from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000262.htm

S.H.E. Circle and shecircle.org are programs of The Mautner Project.
1875 Connecticut Ave., NW · Suite 710 · Washington, DC 20009 · (866) MAUTNER
© Copyright 2005 The Mautner Project. All rights reserved.
Privacy policy. Important health disclaimer.

This program is funded in part by a grant from the DC Cancer Consortium (DCCC). The views expressed on this website, and in program materials are solely the responsibility of the Mautner Project and do not necessarily represent the official views of the DCCC.