Colorectal Cancer: What You Must Know to Save Your Life!
Deanna Clair was my friend, she was almost like another mother to me, and as it turned out very much like the mother who gave birth to me and gave me up for adoption. She was 52 years old when she died from colon cancer in 1992. Why did she die? She died, in my opinion, because she was also a psychiatric patient diagnosed with manic-depression (now called bipolar disorder). Sadly, her doctors never took her physical health complaints seriously.
I heard her complaints of constant nausea, unbelievable constipation and bowel problems, and fatigue--almost daily--for 3 years before a physician finally decided that perhaps a colonoscopy was in order. By then it was too late, and cancer had spread from her colon to her liver.
I heard her complaints of constant nausea, unbelievable constipation and bowel problems, and fatigue--almost daily--for 3 years before a physician finally decided that perhaps a colonoscopy was in order. By then it was too late, and cancer had spread from her colon to her liver.
Her prognosis was devastating--Stage IV Colon Cancer--and death arrived within one month. Had a physician taken her complaints seriously earlier, her 5-year chance of survival could have been as high as ninety percent.
Colon cancer affects an estimated 93,800 and rectal cancer affects 36,400 annually. Colorectal cancers are the third most common cancers in men and women, although incidence rates declined significantly from 1992 to 1996. Research suggests that these reductions may be due to increased screening and polyp removal. The sad fact is that, despite the excellent screening tools that are available, more than 56,000 people will die of colorectal cancers in 2000.
Colorectal cancers usually start as small polyps which can be found and removed during colonoscopy. Removing these colon or rectal polyps prevents them from turning into cancer. It can take between 5 and 15 years for polyps to become cancerous; however, not all polyps will become cancer.
Who is at risk of developing colorectal cancers?Family history plays a key role in determining who is at risk, if you have a personal family history of colorectal cancers, polyps, or inflammatory bowel disease you may face a significantly increased risk of colorectal cancers. Other factors which may play a role include inactivity, high fat and/or low fiber diet, and inadequate consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables.
What can you do to lower your risk of colorectal cancer?Regular exercise, at least 30 minutes a day, has been found to lower the risk of this cancer and many others by as much as fifty percent. Smoking cigarettes increases your risk of colon cancer, so if you smoke quit now to reduce your risk. Maintain a healthy weight, and limit your intake of alcohol. Other ways to reduce your risk include having regular preventive testing, such as:
Fecal Occult Blood Test
Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
Double Contrast Barium Enema
Colonoscopy
There is some discussion that estrogen replacement therapy in post menopausal women and non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin may reduce your risk of colorectal cancers.
Colon cancer is often symptomless, in the beginning, when symptoms of colorectal cancer are present they can include:
A persistent change in bowel habits.
Bloody stools or bleeding from the rectum
Abdominal pain.
Unexplained weight loss.
Fatigue or anemia.
Persistent nausea, and or loss of appetite.
If you experience any of these symptoms contact your health care provider immediately. Everyone should have a colonoscopy beginning at age 50, sooner if you have a family history of cancer or other risk factors. Talk to your doctor and determine your personal risk for colorectal cancer.
Colon cancer affects an estimated 93,800 and rectal cancer affects 36,400 annually. Colorectal cancers are the third most common cancers in men and women, although incidence rates declined significantly from 1992 to 1996. Research suggests that these reductions may be due to increased screening and polyp removal. The sad fact is that, despite the excellent screening tools that are available, more than 56,000 people will die of colorectal cancers in 2000.
Colorectal cancers usually start as small polyps which can be found and removed during colonoscopy. Removing these colon or rectal polyps prevents them from turning into cancer. It can take between 5 and 15 years for polyps to become cancerous; however, not all polyps will become cancer.
Who is at risk of developing colorectal cancers?Family history plays a key role in determining who is at risk, if you have a personal family history of colorectal cancers, polyps, or inflammatory bowel disease you may face a significantly increased risk of colorectal cancers. Other factors which may play a role include inactivity, high fat and/or low fiber diet, and inadequate consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables.
What can you do to lower your risk of colorectal cancer?Regular exercise, at least 30 minutes a day, has been found to lower the risk of this cancer and many others by as much as fifty percent. Smoking cigarettes increases your risk of colon cancer, so if you smoke quit now to reduce your risk. Maintain a healthy weight, and limit your intake of alcohol. Other ways to reduce your risk include having regular preventive testing, such as:
Fecal Occult Blood Test
Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
Double Contrast Barium Enema
Colonoscopy
There is some discussion that estrogen replacement therapy in post menopausal women and non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin may reduce your risk of colorectal cancers.
Colon cancer is often symptomless, in the beginning, when symptoms of colorectal cancer are present they can include:
A persistent change in bowel habits.
Bloody stools or bleeding from the rectum
Abdominal pain.
Unexplained weight loss.
Fatigue or anemia.
Persistent nausea, and or loss of appetite.
If you experience any of these symptoms contact your health care provider immediately. Everyone should have a colonoscopy beginning at age 50, sooner if you have a family history of cancer or other risk factors. Talk to your doctor and determine your personal risk for colorectal cancer.
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