What you should know about colorectal cancer

Mar 09, 2019

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By Rachel Livingston, BSN, RN, William Newton Home Health Director

Although a cancer diagnosis is something nobody wants to imagine or talk about, bringing awareness to a treatable cancer is extremely important. As March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, take a note of these risk factors, screening recommendations, and treatment options.

What is colorectal cancer?

Cancer that occurs in the colon or rectum. Most colorectal cancers develop first as polyps (a growth on the inner lining of the colon or rectum) that later may become cancerous if not removed.

Colorectal Cancer Statistics:

• The third most commonly diagnosed cancer and 2nd leading cause of cancer deaths in both men and women.
• Median age at diagnosis for colon cancer is 68; rectal cancer is 63, however incidence rates in younger age groups are on the rise.
• Colorectal cancer survival rates have been steadily increasing due to more increased awareness and screening.

Risk Factors:

• A high fat diet
• Inflammatory bowel diseases
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Smoking
• Incidence and mortality rates are highest in African American populations.
• People with a first-degree relative with colorectal cancer have a 2-3 times higher risk of developing the cancer.

Symptoms:

• A change in bowel habits: diarrhea, constipation, consistency
• Persistent abdominal discomfort: cramps, gas, bloating
• Rectal bleeding: either bright red or very dark in your stool
• Weakness and fatigue
• Weight loss
• Nausea/Vomiting

Screening:

• It is recommended to begin screenings at age 50 if you are not at an increased risk.
• If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms you should talk with your doctor immediately and ask if a screening is appropriate.
• If you’re at an increased risk due to family history, personal history, ethnicity, or other medical conditions you should talk with your doctor and get screened before age 50.

Types of Screenings:

• Colonoscopy: A small tube with a camera attached to the end that is inserted into the rectum and colon; allows the physician to visually examine the rectum and colon as well as take biopsies if needed.
• CT Colonography: A CT scan uses X-ray capabilities to take images of the colon and rectum to look for polyps or suspicious lesions.
• Stool Based Tests: There are multiple stool based tests that allow you to perform the stool screening at home and send off samples for testing.

Staging of Colorectal Cancer:

Stage 0: Cancer hasn’t moved from where it started.

Stage 1: Cancer has begun to spread but still in inner lining.

Stage 2: Cancer has grown through the colon wall. No lymph node involvement.

Stage 3: Cancer has spread to lymph nodes.

Stage 4: Cancer has been carried through the lymph system to distant parts of the body.

Treatments of Colorectal Cancer:

Surgery:

• Polypectomy: remove the cancerous polyp.
• Colectomy: removes all or part of the colon where the cancer is present. May result in a temporary or permanent colostomy.
• Chemotherapy: The use of drugs to kill the cancer cells; can be either systemic chemotherapy or regional chemotherapy.

Radiation Therapy: Uses high energy rays to destroy cancer cells.

All of these treatments are offered locally through the Winfield Cancer Center and the Cancer Center of Kansas, located on the William Newton Hospital campus.

Cancer is a serious and scary diagnosis but with early screening and diagnosis, colorectal cancer can be extremely treatable. Don’t be afraid to discuss symptoms or concerns with your physician and take control of your health and ask about when a colorectal screening is appropriate for you.

Rachel Livingston, BSN, RN, is Director of William Newton Home Health. If you have comments or story ideas, call 620.221.2300, ext. 1113****

The "Weekend Check-Up" is a regular health column published in the Cowley Courier Traveler penned by employees and friends of William Newton Hospital.