What is colon cancer?
Cancers that begin in the lower bowel are called colon cancers. The colon is the last 4-6 feet of your intestine, an organ that helps eliminate solid waste from your body. The last 6 inches of the colon is called the rectum, and cancers that start here are called rectal cancers. Colon and rectal cancers will cause over 56,000 deaths in the United States this year; only lung cancer will kill more Americans. Seventy five percent of colon and rectal cancers occur in persons without a family history of colon cancer. The good news is that 90 % of all colon and rectal cancers can be prevented with appropriate screening.
What causes cancer?
Cancer is a disease of your genes. Cancers of all types, including those of the colon, begin when genes that regulate how cells grow stop working. There are many factors that may increase the risk of genetic abnormalities that lead to cancer. To list a few: age over 50; a family history of colon or rectal cancer; certain types of colitis; having a previous adenomatous (pre-cancerous) polyp or colon cancer. Other potential causes have to deal with poor general health such as lack of exercise, high fat and low fiber diet, smoking and heavy alcohol use.
Are there early warning signs of colon cancer?
Colon cancer often does not cause symptoms until it is far advanced. Fortunately, most colon cancers develop from small growths called “polyps” and these polyps can be found and removed by colonoscopy, a simple outpatient procedure. Finding and removing all colon polyps during a person’s lifetime will prevent most, if not all, colon cancers. Only adenomatous polyps lead to cancer. Hyperplastic polyps are benign and do not lead to cancer.
Here are 3 steps you can take to prevent colon cancer:
The following may reduce your risk of colon polyps and cancer:
Step 1: Prevention you can do at home
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle. Be sure your diet includes plenty of fresh fruits or vegetables daily, and eat red meat less often. Follow a healthy diet as recommended by the USDA and noted on the food pyramid.
- Maintain adequate calcium with Vitamin D through your diet. Some sources of calcium include dairy products, fortified juices, green leafy vegetables, almonds, legumes, salmon, or tofu.
- Maintain adequate folate through your diet. Some sources of folate include fortified breakfast cereals and breads, green leafy vegetables, peas, asparagus, broccoli, orange juice, and some fruits.
- Exercise regularly.
- Limit alcohol intake.
- Do not smoke.
Step 2: Undergo colon testing on a routine basis
There are several tests that will screen you for cancer or polyps. Speak with your doctor about which one is best for you. Everyone should begin routine screening by age 50 (people with family histories of colon cancer or certain other conditions may need to begin at a younger age). The colonoscopy is considered the gold standard for colon screening and is regarded as a tried and true method with minimal complications, the best statistical results for detection of cancers/polyps and for removal of polyps if present.
There are new screening techniques available, however, these tests are still considered experimental and most insurance companies will not cover them.
Step 3: Find out if a relative had colon cancer or polyps
8-10 % of all colon cancers are inherited. If a close relative (parent, sibling, child, aunt or uncle, grandparent, cousin, niece or nephew) has had colon cancer or polyps, you may need special screening tests for you and your relatives. If more than one family member had colon cancer/polyps, or if anyone had cancer under the age of 50, your risk is increased substantially. Some people with a family history of colon cancer or polyps need to begin colon tests at an age earlier than 50. Be sure to discuss your family history with your physician.
More information:
- Contact your doctor or MN Gastroenterology specialists
- American Cancer Society 1-800-ACS-2345 (www.cancer.org/)
- National Cancer Institute (www.nci.nih.gov/)
- Minnesota Colorectal Cancer Initiative (for questions about genetics) 1-888-94COLON
- American Gastroenterological Association (www.gastro.org/)
- Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (www.cdc.gov/cancer/screenforlife)
- Minnesota Colorectal Cancer Consortium (www.cancer.umn.edu/coloncanceraware)
- United States Department of Agribusiness (www.myryramid.org/)