What you need to know about colorectal cancer

By: DR. MARTI DONNELL - Vista Community Clinic | Saturday, July 21, 2007 7:18 PM PDT ∞

Colorectal cancer is one of those topics most people do not want to talk about, but taking the time to learn a few facts about it can save your life.

"Colorectal" is a combination word for colon and rectum. Small, abnormal growths called polyps can form in the large intestine. They can be cancerous or benign.

Detection of cancer is difficult because the polyps are internal and they have no symptoms in the early stages. As a result, one-third of the 150,000 or so people diagnosed each year with colorectal cancer die from the disease.

Screenings are recommended for people who fit a risk factor profile. Be sure to take the survey at the end of this article. Several types of colorectal cancer screening tests exist. The simplest checks the stool (feces) for blood not visible with the naked eye (done yearly). In addition, two clinical procedures can allow a doctor to find polyps on the lining of the intestine. These procedures can be slightly uncomfortable for the person undergoing the test, but they are essential for accurate detection, especially for people who have risk factors for colorectal cancer.

The "flex sig" (or sigmoidoscopy, done every five years) examines the left side of the intestine, while the colonoscopy (done every 10 years) looks at the entire intestine. Polyps are removed during the procedure and tested to see whether they are malignant (cancerous) or benign.

This may seem like a lot of trouble when you're not in pain, but consider this: Colorectal cancer is the third-highest cause of cancer deaths in the United States. The good news is that 90 percent of cases are preventable with early detection. Since 1990, fewer people have died from colorectal cancer because of the increased use of screening tests by physicians.

If you are diagnosed with colorectal cancer at a later stage, chemotherapy, radiation and surgery are all effective treatments, but each has its challenges. Prevention and early detection through screening is the key. If you or a loved one have risk factors, are not up to date on screenings, or if you have warning symptoms, please schedule an appointment with your doctor to discuss colorectal cancer screening. You and your family will be glad you did.

TAKE A QUICK SURVEY:

Check all boxes that apply to you now or in the past:

Risk factors:

- Age 50 or older

- Personal or family history of colorectal cancer or polyps

- Certain bowel diseases or family syndromes

- Black, Alaska Native, or Jewish

- Personal or family history of female cancer

- Diet high in fat

- Little or no exercise

- Overweight

- Smoker

- Heavy drinker

Warning symptoms:

- Blood in or on stools

- Bleeding from or pain in your bottom

- Change in bowel habits

- Narrower stools

- Ongoing stomach discomfort or vomiting

- Unexplained weight loss

- Constant tiredness

Screening works best when done before symptoms occur, because polyps can be found early and, in many cases, taken care of without further treatment.

In conclusion: Prevention through screening is the key and offers the best cure. If you or a loved one have risk factors and are not up to date on screening, or if you have warning symptoms, I urge you to schedule an appointment with your doctor to discuss colorectal cancer screening.

Dr. Marti Donnell is the Department Director, Family Medicine at Vista Community Clinic. Call (760) 631-5000 or visit www.vistacommunityclinic.org.

First name only. Comments including last names, contact addresses, e-mail addresses or phone numbers will be deleted. Attempts to misrepresent your identity or impersonate any person will not be approved. All comments are screened before they appear online, so please keep them brief. Comments reflect the views of those commenting and not necessarily those of the North County Times or its staff writers. Click here to view additional comment policies.