Colon Cancer Colon Cancer Basics

Dispelling the Myths of Colon Cancer

While cancer rates are on the decline, colorectal cancer is still the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, second only to lung cancer. And though 150,000 Americans will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer this year, it is a highly preventable disease.

“Most colorectal cancers are predictable by early diagnosis and screening,” says Dr. D. Kim Turgeon, clinical associate professor of gastroenterology at the University of Michigan Medical School. “If colonoscopy can identify a problem early, we could completely prevent colorectal cancer.”

All men and women should receive their first colonoscopy at the age of 50, earlier if they have other risk factors that predispose them for the disease, such as a family history, obesity, smoking and diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s.

But many people do not go for the recommended routine colonoscopies because they are worried about the procedure, think they are not at risk or are simply afraid of getting a diagnosis of colorectal cancer.

Here are the facts about colon cancer screening:

Colon cancer affects everyone.
Men and women of all races are affected by colorectal cancer. It is estimated that over 55,000 men and 57,000 women will be diagnosed with colon cancer this year and that more than 23,000 men and 17,000 women will be diagnosed with rectal cancer.

“Colon cancer is a politically correct disease, it affects all races and both genders equally,” says Turgeon. While African Americans are just as likely to develop this disease, they are also more likely to die from it, so it is recommended that they begin screening exams at age 45.

Colon cancer may cause no symptoms.
Colorectal cancer can cause symptoms, such as rectal bleeding, changes in stool, abdominal pain and weight loss, but most likely when these symptoms do occur, the disease has progressed to a very advanced stage. At its earliest, most treatable stages, this cancer causes no symptoms at all. However, most people just assume that being symptom-free means they are healthy, says Turgeon. “This is the most common misconception. People think that if they feel OK they must not have colon cancer.”

Colonoscopies do not have to be unpleasant.
Preparing for a colonoscopy does require cleaning the colon with laxatives. However, the chalky substance most people associate with laxatives is not the only option. If you would prefer to try something else, talk with your doctor.

The procedure itself often takes less than 30 minutes and will typically require you to miss only one day of work. It is not painful, and patients receive a sedative and sometimes general anesthesia. Most patients resume normal activities the next day. “Afterwards, lot of patients ask me, ‘is that it?’” says Turgeon.

If caught early enough, colon cancer requires no additional surgery.
The best part is that if your doctor discovers a polyp or other small, potentially cancerous growth during a colonoscopy, he can remove it during the procedure. These growths will be analyzed, and only if they are determined to be more dangerous may additional treatments be necessary.

New advances have made colon cancer surgery a better option.
When people are diagnosed with colon cancer, they may need surgery to remove the cancerous tissue. This surgery can typically be done with new procedures that leave only a small scar. Again, the earlier colon cancer is detected, the more likely surgery can be performed to successfully remove all of the cancerous cells.

Colon cancer is not a death sentence.
Colonoscopies are important because if colon cancer is caught in its earliest stages, 95 percent of patients will survive. Once colon cancer has spread beyond the colon, however, it becomes much harder to treat.

“We have to encourage people to talk about colon cancer,” says Turgeon. “If everyone could be screened for colon cancer, more than 80 percent of cases can be prevented.”