About Colorectal Cancer Screening

Colorectal cancer refers to any form of cancer located in the colon or rectum, two segments of the large intestine.  The colon is a muscular tube about five feet long.  It empties into the rectum, or the last six inches of the digestive track.  Colorectal cancer tends to progress slowly, making it highly preventable and treatable if caught early.

Excluding skin cancer, colorectal cancer is this third most common type of cancer in the United States.  An estimated 106,680 new cases of colon cancer and 41,930 new cases of rectal cancer will be diagnosed in 2006, according to the American Cancer Society.  More than 90% of those diagnosed with this disease are over the age of 50. In addition, research shows that up to 2.3% of people with bleeding hemorrhoids also have colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer has been called a “silent killer” as there are often no symptoms. Occasionally, patients may experience non-specific symptoms such as a blood in the stool, a change in bowel habits, diarrhea, constipation, stools that are narrower than usual, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, bloating, cramps, gas, nausea or vomiting. 

While the cause of colorectal cancer is unknown, a number of risk factors have been identified.   Notably, the risk rises markedly after age 50, although you can develop the disease at any age.  Another prime risk factor is family history, as about 30% of those diagnosed with colorectal cancer have relatives with the disease.

Other risk factors include ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, obesity, smoking, physical inactivity and a history of colorectal polyps, or growths inside the colon or rectum that can sometimes become cancerous.  In addition, Jews of Eastern European descent (Ashkenazi Jews) have been found to have a higher rate of colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, with more than 55,000 deaths annually.   At The Center for Colorectal Health, our goal is to significantly reduce – if not eradicate – that statistic by screening patients annually. Taking this simple pre-emptive measure can, quite literally, save your life. 

Next: Why Get Screened