Colorectal Cancer: Early Detection Saves Lives

Colorectal cancer starts in your colon or rectum, which are part of your large intestine. It often begins as growths called polyps, which are common and are usually noncancerous. But certain types of polyps can change over time and have a higher risk of turning into cancer.

The American Cancer Society estimates that 154,270 people will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2025. It’s one of the top three most diagnosed cancers in both the US and Texas. Plus, it’s the third leading cause of cancer-related death in men and the fourth leading cause in women.

The good news? Colorectal cancer is very treatable when caught early. Right now, there are more than 1.5 million colorectal cancer survivors in the US. The best way to protect yourself is by seeing your primary care provider regularly and getting your screenings.

Causes of Colorectal Cancer

Several risk factors can increase the of colorectal cancer:

• Increasing age
• Genetic conditions such as familial adenomatous polyposis or Lynch syndrome
• Personal history of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
• Lifestyle habits like lack of exercise, a low-fiber diet, obesity, drinking too much alcohol, and smoking 

Symptoms of Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer doesn’t always cause symptoms, especially early on. If you do have symptoms, they may include:

• Changes in bowel habits
• Blood in your stool (bowel movements)
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Feeling like you don’t empty your bowel completely after having a movement
• Unexplained weight loss

How to Reduce Your Risk

The good news is that there are many ways to reduce your colorectal cancer risk:

• Stay active: Try to exercise for at least 30 minutes most days. You can walk, ride a bike, or swim to keep your body moving.
• Eat more fiber: Add more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains like steel cut oats to your meals.
• Limit alcohol: Try an interesting “mocktail” instead.
• Avoid tobacco: If you smoke, talk to your health care provider about ways to quit.
• Maintain a healthy weight: Eat balanced meals and stay active to lose weight.
• Manage chronic conditions: Work with your provider to manage any long-term health issues you may have, such as IBD.

The Importance of Regular Screenings

The best way to prevent colorectal cancer is to get regular screenings. Screenings can find precancerous polyps so they can be removed before they turn into cancer.

Because people are being diagnosed with colorectal cancer younger than ever, experts have lowered the screening age from 50 to 45 for those at average risk. This shift is partly due to factors like poor lifestyle habits and higher obesity rates. 

If you’re at higher risk because of a family history, genetic factors, or conditions like IBD, your provider might suggest starting screenings even earlier.

The two main screening tools to check for colorectal cancer are Cologuard and colonoscopy.

Cologuard

This test checks your stool for signs of cancer. Using a special at-home kit, you collect your stool and send it to a lab for testing. Cologuard can detect about 92% of cancers by looking for blood in your stool and changes in your DNA. 

Pros:

• This is a non-invasive screening.
• You can do it in the privacy of your home.
• It is easy to use.
• It has a high accuracy rate for people at average risk.
• There is no copayment.

Cons:

• This test may miss some cancers or polyps. (This is called a “false negative” result.)
• If the test comes back positive, it does not automatically mean you have cancer, but you will need a follow-up colonoscopy to figure out why the test was positive.

How Often?

• Every 3 years

Colonoscopy

A colonoscopy checks the entire length of your colon using a flexible camera called a colonoscope. The provider inserts the colonoscope into your rectum and moves it through your entire colon. Colonoscopies are often used as a follow-up test if anything unusual is found in other screenings. 

Pros:

• This test is extremely thorough.
• It examines your entire colon.
• During the test, the provider can remove most polyps and some cancers right away.
• There is no copayment.

Cons:

• This is an invasive test.
• It requires you to go under mild anesthesia for a short period of time.
• You have to prepare by clearing your bowels before the procedure. This requires not eating for 24 hours and using a solution or pills that induce bowel movements throughout the day.
• It’s more time-consuming and requires a visit to a specialist.

How Often?

• Every 10 years for those at average risk
• More frequent screenings may be recommended if polyps or cancer are found.

If you’re due for a screening, we can refer you to a specialist. We can also set you up with a Cologuard kit, if you’re a good candidate for this type of screening. 

If you have any questions or would like to discuss screening options, you can schedule an appointment here or call us at 866-325-0301.