Knowing your family health history of colorectal cancer and sharing this information with your doctor can help you take steps to lower your risk.
If you have multiple relatives who have been diagnosed with colorectal cancer or relatives who have been diagnosed at a young age before age 50 , your doctor may change your medical management to prevent colorectal cancer or catch it as early as possible.
If you have been diagnosed with colorectal cancer, it is important to tell your family members. Based on current recommendations, most people start colorectal cancer screening at age 50, but if you have a family history your doctor may recommend the following:.
Precancerous colorectal polyps are abnormal growths in the colon or rectum that can turn into cancer if they are not removed. However, not all polyps turn into cancer. If you have been diagnosed with certain types of colorectal polyps, your doctor may recommend starting colonoscopy screening earlier. Although many other, often routine, health issues can cause bowel changes, please see your doctor for a thorough evaluation if you experience:.
If your gastroenterologist determines a colon polyp is cancerous, you may need additional imaging tests such as a CT scan to confirm and possibly stage the cancer.
Stage 4 colon cancer: Has spread to distant organs, such as the liver or lungs. Doctors often recommend surgery for colon cancer treatment, explains Chowdhury. While surgery may be an effective treatment for many with colorectal cancer, it is important to seek out an experienced physician for your own case. Topics include reducing inflammation through food, memory loss, cosmetic procedures, colon cancer in African-American women, fertility and mental health.
Colon Cancer Diagnosis: Getting a Colonoscopy Most colorectal cancers start as colon polyps, abnormal growths in the wall of the colon. During a colonoscopy: Your gastroenterologist uses a flexible tube with a camera at the end to look at the insides of your colon. Current research consistently links eating more red meat and processed meat to a higher risk of the disease.
Other dietary factors have also been studied to see if they affect the risk of developing colorectal cancer. Recent studies have shown that smokers are more likely to die from colorectal cancer than nonsmokers. Learn more about quitting tobacco. Different factors cause different types of cancer.
Researchers continue to look into what factors cause colorectal cancer, including ways to prevent it. Although there is no proven way to completely prevent colorectal cancer, you may be able to lower your risk.
Talk with your health care team for more information about your personal risk of colorectal cancer. As explained above, polyp removal during a colonoscopy see Screening can help prevent colorectal cancer.
This procedure allows the doctor to look inside the large intestine to look for and remove polyps that could turn into cancer. Some studies suggest that aspirin and other NSAIDs may reduce the development of polyps in people with a history of colorectal cancer or polyps. However, regular use of NSAIDs may cause major side effects, including bleeding of the stomach lining and blood clots leading to stroke or heart attack.
People should talk with their doctor about the risks and benefits of taking aspirin on a regular basis. Food choices and supplements. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables and low in red meat may help reduce the risk of colorectal cancer. Some studies have also found that people who take calcium and vitamin D supplements have a lower risk of colorectal cancer.
The next section in this guide is Screening. It explains how tests may find colorectal cancer before signs or symptoms appear. Use the menu to choose a different section to read in this guide. Prevention Different factors cause different types of cancer.
Types of Cancer. Colorectal Cancer Guide. Net Guide Colorectal Cancer. Medical Illustrations. Risk Factors and Prevention. Symptoms and Signs. Types of Treatment. About Clinical Trials.
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