American Cancer Society's most recent estimates for colorectal cancer in the United States are for 2011:
- About 101,170 new cases of colon cancer
- About 40,290 new cases of rectal cancer
Not counting skin cancers, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer found in men and women in this country. The risk of a person having colorectal cancer in their lifetime is about 1 in 20.
The death rate from colorectal cancer has been going down for more than 20 years. One reason is that there are fewer cases. Thanks to colorectal cancer screening, polyps can be found and removed before they turn into cancer. And colorectal cancer can also be found earlier when it is easier to cure. Treatments have improved, too.
Source: American Cancer Society's
Colorectal Cancer Overview.
News
Hot topics for Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
Ginger Root Supplement Reduced Colon Inflammation Markers
Common Bone Drugs May Reduce Colon Cancer Risk
Colon cancer screening an uneasy topic, but important
New class of cancer drugs could work in colon cancers with genetic mutation: Study
U-M Cancer Center gets $10.7 M grant to study colon, pancreas cancers
Surveillance colonoscopy should be targeted to high-risk patients
Can a Mediterranean diet help prevent colon cancer?
Irritable Bowel Syndrome patients not at more risk of colon cancer, polyps
Gene test shows who could benefit from statins to reduce colon cancer risk
Colon Cancer in the National News
New Tool Developed to Predict Colorectal Cancer Risk
More Screenings Lead to
Decreases in Colorectal Cancer Deaths
Study: Consuming More Folate May Reduce Risk of Colorectal Cancer
Risk Factors
While we do not know the exact cause of most colorectal cancers, there are certain known risk factors. Some risk factors, like smoking, can be controlled. Others, such as a person's age, can't be changed. But risk factors don't tell us everything. Having a risk factor, or even many risk factors, does not mean that you will get the disease. And some people who get the disease may not have any known risk factors. Even if a person with colorectal cancer has a risk factor, it is often very hard to know what part that risk factor may have had. Researchers have found some risk factors that may increase a person's chance of getting polyps or colorectal cancer.
Risk factors you cannot change
- Age:
The chances of having colorectal cancer go up after age 50. More than 9 out of 10 people with colorectal cancer are older than 50. - Having had polyps or colorectal cancer before:
Some types of polyps increase the risk of colorectal cancer, especially if they are large or if there are many of them. If you have had colorectal cancer (even if it has been completely removed), you are more likely to have new cancers start in other areas of your colon and rectum. The chances of this happening are greater if you had your first colorectal cancer when you were younger. - Having a history of bowel disease:
Inflammatory bowel diseases, like ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, increase the risk of colon cancer. In these diseases, the colon is inflamed over a long time. If you have one of these diseases your doctor may want you to have colon screening testing more often. (These diseases are different than irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which does not increase colorectal cancer risk.) - Family history of colorectal cancer:
If you have close relatives (parents, brothers/sisters, or children) who have had this cancer, your risk might be increased. This is especially true if the family member got the cancer at a younger age. People with a family history of colorectal cancer should talk to their doctors about when and how often to have screening tests. - Certain family syndromes:
A syndrome is a group of symptoms. The 2 most common inherited syndromes linked with colorectal cancers are
familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) and hereditary
non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC).
If your doctor tells you that you have a condition that makes you or your family members more likely to get colorectal cancer, you will probably need to begin colon cancer testing at a younger age, and you might want to talk about genetic counseling. - Race or ethnic background:
Some racial and ethnic groups such as African Americans and Jews of Eastern European descent (Ashkenazi Jews) have a higher colorectal cancer risk. Among Ashkenazi Jews, several gene mutations have been found that lead to an increased risk of colorectal cancer.
Risk factors linked to things you do
Several lifestyle-related factors have been linked to colorectal cancer. In fact, the links between diet, weight, and exercise and colorectal cancer
risk are some of the strongest for any type of cancer.
- Certain types of diets:
A diet that is high in red meats (beef, lamb, or liver) and processed meats such as hot dogs, bologna, and lunch meat can increase your colorectal cancer risk. Cooking meats at very high heat (frying, broiling, or grilling) can create chemicals that might increase cancer risk. . Diets high in vegetables and fruits have been linked with a lower risk of colorectal cancer, but fiber supplements do not seem to help. - Lack of exercise:
Getting more exercise may help reduce your risk. - Overweight:
Being very overweight increases a person's risk of having and dying from colorectal cancer. - Smoking:
Most people know that smoking causes lung cancer, but long-time smokers are more likely than non-smokers to have and die from colorectal cancer. Smoking increases the risk of many other cancers, too. - Alcohol:
Heavy use of alcohol has been linked to colorectal cancer. - Diabetes:
People with type 2 diabetes have an increased chance of getting colorectal cancer. They also tend to have a worse outlook (prognosis).
Source: American Cancer Society: What are the risk factors for colorectal cancer?.
Signs and Symptoms
Possible signs of colon cancer include a change in bowel habits or blood in the stool.These and other symptoms are caused by colon cancer. Other conditions may cause the same symptoms. A doctor should be consulted if any of the following problems occur:
- A change in bowel habits.
- Blood (either bright red or very dark) in the stool.
- Diarrhea, constipation, or feeling that the bowel does not empty completely.
- Stools that are narrower than usual.
- Frequent gas pains, bloating, fullness, or cramps.
- Weight loss for no known reason.
- Feeling very tired.
- Vomiting.
Source: NCI - General Information About Colon Cancer
Screening
Beginning at age 50, both men and women should follow one of these testing schedules. Talk to your doctor about which test is best for you.
Tests that find polyps and cancer
- flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years*, or
- colonoscopy every 10 years, or
- double contrast barium enema every 5 years*, or
- CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years*
Tests that mainly find cancer
- fecal occult blood test (FOBT) every year**, or
- fecal immunochemical test (FIT) every year**, or
- stool DNA test (sDNA), interval uncertain**
* If this test is positive, a colonoscopy should be done.
** The multiple stool take-home test should be used. One test done by the doctor in the office is not adequate for testing. A colonoscopy should be done if the test is positive.
The American Cancer Society recommends that some people be screened using a different schedule because of their personal history or family history. Talk with your doctor about your history and what colorectal cancer screening schedule is best for you.
Source: American Cancer Society Guidelines for the Early Detection of Cancer.
Resources for Screening Information
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearninghouse(NDDIC)
Prevention
University of Michigan
National Cancer Institute
Take Action
Gastrointestinal Oncology Research Program
Clinical trials at the University of Michigan
HUM00039815: Assessment of Cognitive and
Immune Function in Individuals with Colorectal Cancer
Primary Investigators: Kirvan Visovatti, Moira Ann
HUM00050494:
A Phase 1 Dose Escalation Study of OMP-18R5 in Subjects with Solid Tumors (18R5-001)
Primary Investigator: Dr. David C. Smith
Learn more
University of Michigan Resources National Cancer Institute:
Centers for Disease Control (CDC):
- Colorectal Cancer
- Colorectal Cancer Control Program
- March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
American Cancer Society:
American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS):
Laparoscopic Surgery - What Is It?
Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH):
