Preventing Colon Cancer
By gi health
No one likes the thought of cancer - especially colon cancer. The truth is that many
otherwise health-conscious adults are just too embarrassed or afraid to talk about it.
Unfortunately, this silence has allowed colon cancer to become quite common in our society.
Did you know that colon cancer is now the leading cause of cancer deaths in nonsmokers?
Only lung cancer is more deadly. This year we can expect about 134,000 new cases of colon
cancer - 55,000 deaths. We find about two or three new cases of colon cancer a week in our
practice alone. That's the bad news. The good news is that it is surprisingly easy to lower
your risk of this common deadly disease. Read this pamphlet and discuss it with your
doctor. Knowing these simple facts could save your life. Don't be embarrassed to death.
Your Digestive System
Your intestinal tract is about a thirty feet long hollow "pipe" that travels from top to bottom.
Most of the digestive process occurs in the small intestine where food molecules are
chemically broken down into smaller components that your body can use for strength,
energy and tissue repair. After the digestive process is completed, the resulting waste
travels downstream to the large intestine, or colon. Averaging about five feet in length, the
colon has little to do with the actual digestive process. Rather, it functions much like a
"water treatment plant" receiving about two gallons of liquid waste daily, purifying the
water, and recycling it back into your blood stream for reuse. The remaining solid waste is
stored in the last 6 inches of the colon - the rectum - until it is convenient to have a bowel
movement.
First Polyps, Then Cancer
Colon cancer is a malignant growth that occurs on the inner wall of the colon or the rectum.
It is now known that colon cancer usually begins many years earlier as a small
noncancerous growth called a polyp, which grows on the inner wall of the colon. Nobody
knows what causes polyps to grow and why some people get them and others do not - but
genetics probably plays some role. We do know that over time some polyps will grow larger
until they develop into colon cancer. Although there are always exceptions, current data
suggests that this malignant transformation is slow and may take as long as five years or
longer.
Who Is At Risk?
You are. We all are. While there are certain risk factors, such as family history of colon
cancer, that may increase your personal risk, the truth is that over 75% of cases have no
unusual risk factors to warn them. In fact, about 1 in 20 adult Americans now develop
cancer of the colon in their lifetime. As an example, if you went to a Penguin's hockey game
and saw about 16,000 other cheering fans there, realize that about 800 of them would have
colon cancer in their future. It is very common. Despite a popular misconception, colon
cancer is also an equal opportunity disease - men and women are equally affected. Most
cases occurs after the age of 50 and the risk increases with age.
First Polyps, Then Cancer What Are The Warning Symptoms?
The most common symptom of colon cancer is no symptom at all. That is the problem. You
could have a polyp, or even an early cancer, growing in your colon right now as you read
this and feel perfectly fine. There are no symptoms such as pain, bleeding, or change in
bowel habits to warn you - until it is too late. By the time that a colon cancer is large
enough to change your bowel habits, it may already be too late. Left undetected, colon
cancer eventually penetrates through the outer colon wall and spreads to other organs,
most often lymph nodes and the liver. Then you have symptoms and real trouble. That is
why, despite the development of modern surgical techniques and new medical treatments,
the death rate of colon cancer has not improved in decades - less than half are cured. The
key concept is - Don't wait for warning symptoms.
Where's The Good News?
It has been well demonstrated that if colon cancer is caught in the earliest stages, the cure
rate could be increased to 90%. Even better, it has been repeatedly shown that by
detecting and removing colon polyps before they develop into cancer, colon cancer can be
prevented. Most polyps can now be painlessly removed during a simple 20 minute
outpatient "scope" procedure called colonoscopy. To decrease your risk of colon cancer, you
need to have any colon polyps found and removed before they become cancerous. Early
detection and destruction of any colon polyps must be your goal.
Screening Exams
The problem is how do you know if you have a polyp? Good question! You don't. Since colon
polyps, and even early colon cancer, are usually silent, you cannot rely on symptoms. To
reduce your personal risk, you must undergo an active program of periodic colon checkups,
before you have symptoms - just as you would for routine mammograms and prostate
exams. You must go see your doctor when you feel well. Here are three different situations
that might arise:
1. If You Have Symptoms
Screening programs for colon polyps and cancer are designed for patients who have no
symptoms. If you have symptoms such as rectal bleeding, altered bowel habit, or have been
found to have unexplained iron deficiency anemia or a positive test for hidden blood in your
stool (Hemoccult), you need to see your doctor for a full investigation, not a screening
exam.
2. Average Risk Individuals - No Symptoms
Most people fit into this category. For those with no symptoms and no high risk factors, it is
recommended that screening begin at age 50. At a minimum, this should include a 3-day
Hemoccult card test for hidden blood in the stool every year and a flexible sigmoidoscopy,
"short scope test," every 5 years. Recently, it has been shown that this regimen still misses
up to 30% of colon cancer and even more polyps. This is why most professional health
organizations - like the American Cancer Society - now endorse Colonoscopy as a primary
screening method. There are three advanges to colonoscopy. First is higher accuracy since
the entire colon is visualized. Second, with colonoscopy most polyps can be removed when
found - "one stop shopping." Even better, if normal, screening colonoscopy need not be
repeated as often.
3. High Risk Individual
While we are all at risk, some of us have a higher risk than others because of certain factors
in our medical history. Those who fall into a high risk category should also be screened, but
at an earlier age such as 40. The appropriate test should be chosen by your physician
depending on the circumstances. Most often, a colonoscopy "full scope" exam is done.
High risk factors include:
Personal past history of colon polyps
Personal past history of colon cancer
Ulcerative or Crohn's colitis
Personal history of breast or uterine cancer
Family history of colon cancer
Family history of precancerous polyps
If you fall into one of these high risk categories, it is even more important the you begin a
regular screening program.
Other Ways To Reduce Risk
This polyp "search and destroy" approach is the cornerstone of colon cancer prevention. In
addition, you may be able to further reduce your risk by eating a high fiber diet that
contains more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and less fat. Trim the fat from your diet. Eat
more fish and chicken and less beef, pork, and lamb. Supplementing your daily diet with
400 mcg. folic acid and 1000 mg. of calcium may also help. Recent studies have clearly
shown the benefit of taking an 81 mg. baby aspirin daily.
Just Do It
Colon cancer is one of the most curable and preventable forms of cancer. When detected
early, more than 90% of patients can be cured. Sadly, recent studies show that only about
12% of adults ever bother to have a colon examination. As an individual, you can
dramatically reduce your risk of getting colon cancer by having regular examinations before
symptoms develop. Following the simple guidelines can keep you healthy to enjoy the good
life you have worked so hard to create. Take charge of your health.
Just do it....