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Colorectal Cancer
Understanding Colorectal Cancer: Learn what it is and how to prevent it. Screening and early detection for colorectal cancer are important because if detected early, it is 90% curable.
 | Colorectal cancer is cancer of the large intestine (colon), the lower part of your digestive system, or the last six inches of the colon (rectum). It develops when growths (polyps) inside the colon or rectum become cancerous. |
Colorectal cancer is the fourth most commonly diagnosed cancer.
It is estimated that 1 in 14 Canadian men and 1 in 15 Canadian women will develop colorectal cancer within their lifetime.
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of death from cancer.
In fact, nearly as many people will die from colorectal cancer as from breast and prostate cancer combined. Indeed, 22 000 Canadians will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer and 9100 will die from it in 2009.
Screening and early detection for colorectal cancer are important because if detected early, it is 90% curable.
Who's at Risk?
Men and women age 50 and older are at average risk and should begin regular screening tests. Risk is higher among people with a family history of colorectal cancer or inflammatory bowel disease. Risk is also higher in people who are physically inactive, obese, long-term smokers, have an unhealthy diet, or drink more than two alcoholic drinks a day.
How to reduce your risk:
1. Get screened regularly for colorectal cancer beginning at age 50 (earlier if there is family history or polyps).
2. Eat healthy (e.g., plenty of vegetables, fruit, whole grains, and legumes).
3. Be physically active every day.
4. Be smoke free.
5. If you drink alcohol, drink no more than one drink per day (women)
or two drinks per day (men).
Get Screened
Detect colorectal cancer early with regular screening. The two most common ways to screen for colorectal cancer are:
Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) or
Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT)
An FOBT or FIT test is recommended at least every two years for men and women over the age of 50.
Some provinces have organized screening programs for colorectal cancer. For more information, talk to your health care provider.
What are the Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) and Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT)?
FOBT and FIT are simple tests that you do at home to fi nd hidden (occult) blood in your stool. You collect two small stool samples on three separate days and send them to a laboratory. A “negative” test result is usual and normal. A positive test requires follow-up to fi nd out if you have colorectal cancer. A colonoscopy is generally the preferred follow-up test.
Common Symptoms |
There are no signs or symptoms in its early stages, hence the importance of screening. As colorectal cancer progresses, the following late-stage symptoms may occur:
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What is a Colonoscopy?
A colonoscopy lets a doctor with special training look at the lining of the colon and rectum. Polyps can be removed and biopsies can be taken during the test.
REMEMBER…
Colorectal cancer is treatable, and 90% curable when detected early. Make screening for colorectal cancer part of your healthy lifestyle.
KEY REFERENCES:
Canadian Cancer Society’s Steering Committee. (2009). Canadian cancer statistics 2009. Toronto: Canadian Cancer Society.
Cancer Care Ontario. (2008). ColonCancerCheck. Toronto: Queen’s Printer for Ontario.
