Colorectal cancer screenings save lives Dr. Nina: Colorectal cancer screenings save lives

While colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers, it is not on most people's list of great conversation topics. Yet discussing screenings is a lifesaving measure. Testing can detect precancerous growths, or polyps, which doctors can remove. And testing can detect cancer before any of its symptoms emerge.

Colorectal cancer is a type of cancer that affects a person's rectum, colon or both, also known as the large intestine. It is the third leading kind of cancer and the second cause of cancer deaths among men and women in the United States, according to the American Cancer Society.

While you may know that the risk increases as people get older, you may be surprised to hear that more adults in their 20s, 30s, 40s and early 50s are being diagnosed with colorectal cancer, based on a recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.

March is National Colon Cancer Awareness Month and we all need to know what we can do to help prevent, treat and manage colorectal cancer. There's an awareness among the public, but not enough people are being screened. Do you know at what age you (or your loved ones) should start getting screened for colon cancer? Symptoms?

Dr. Nina's What You Need To Know: About Colorectal Cancer

Our cells produce signals to control how and when they divide, so that we have just the right number of each type of cell. If this signaling system becomes faulty, abnormal and uncontrollable growth can result, known as cancer.

According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer is a cancer that starts in the colon or the rectum. These cancers can also be named colon cancer or rectal cancer, depending on where they start. Colon cancer and rectal cancer are often grouped together because they have many features in common.

Most colorectal cancers start as a growth on the inner lining of the colon or rectum. These growths are called polyps. While many polyps are benign, bad ones can form into tumors. Also, cancer is not just one disease. It can start in any part of the body - blood, colon, bones, lungs - and left untreated can metastasize (travel) to invade other body parts.

Are you at risk?: A risk factor is anything that affects your chance of getting a disease. And having a risk factor does not mean you will develop colorectal cancer; but it does affect your screening recommendations, in terms of when to start and how often it should be done.

Nonmodifiable risk factors:

? Age: Although it can strike at any age, according to the Colon Cancer Alliance, 9 out of 10 new cases occur in people 50 years of age or older.

? Ethnicity and race: Increased in black Americans and Jews of Eastern European descent

? Personal or family history of colon polyps or colorectal cancer: Having a personal history, even if the polyp or cancer has been removed, means you have an increased chance of developing new cancers in other areas of the colon or rectum. And, too, 1 in 5 people who develop colorectal cancer has had a family member who had it. The risk is increased when it is a first-degree relative and, too, if they received the diagnosis at a young age.

? Having inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease

Modifiable risk factors:

While we cannot change the fact that we age, our genes, and, in some cases, our environment - we do have control over our lifestyle (and the choices we make), what we call "modifiable" risk factors. A healthy lifestyle is key in prevention.

? Eat a well-balanced diet with plenty of fruit and veggies that contain fiber, vitamins and nutrients. There is abundant research showing that doing so can decrease your risk not just for colorectal cancer, but many other cancers.

? Reduce consumption of processed and sugary foods that can be damaging to the cell walls of our intestines.

? Reduce consumption of processed meats, such as hot dogs and some luncheon meats that contain nitrates and nitrites as well as red meat - beef, pork, lamb and liver. It is believed that these animals have a type of iron that can damage our intestine's cell walls

? Stop smoking or don't start.

? Maintain a healthy weight.

? Be physically active: If you are sedentary or don't move much, start taking a walk around the block and do it for a week or two, and then make it two blocks. Start moving!

? Avoid heavy use of alcohol

During early stages, when treatment is most effective, there are few and, oftentimes, no symptoms. Additionally, warning signs are nonspecific for colorectal cancer-this means the sign or symptom is not assignable to a particular cause, condition or disease.

Symptoms you should never ignore:

? Changes in bowel habits (diarrhea, constipation) lasting longer than four weeks

? Stools that are narrower than usual

? Bleeding from the rectum or blood in the stool

? Persistent gas, abdominal pain, bloating, feeling full or cramping

? Unexplained weight loss

? Weakness or fatigue or iron-deficiency anemia

? Nausea or vomiting

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is important to consult your health care provider. They may be caused by something other than cancer but the only way to know what is causing them is to see your doctor.

Early detection is crucial: Colorectal cancer is considered one of the most preventable and highly treatable cancers. When detected early, statistics show that it has a greater than 90 percent cure rate! So, being vigilant, with appropriate screening, is key to catching and removing polyps inside the colon and rectum.

Screening tests: There are a number of options, and with your healthcare provider, you should decide which is best for you. The most common screening test is a colonoscopy - a procedure that allows your gastroenterologist to examine the inner lining of your rectum and colon, take biopsies (tissue samples), and even remove polyps.

? Regular colonoscopy screenings in people without risk factors should begin at age 50 and age 45 in black people

? Earlier screening is recommended when a patient has precancerous polyps, someone in their family was diagnosed with colon cancer, or risk factors are present.

? Repeat screening is performed every 7 to 10 years until the age of 75, in those with a negative test. Abnormal tests require more frequent screening (and, too, risk factors may mean more frequent screenings).

As medical physicians and healthcare professionals, we understand that colonoscopies get a bad rap and many people have concerns, even, fears - feel awkward or embarrassed. However, a colonoscopy's seek-and-destroy-mission can save your life. And, rest assured that your healthcare team consists of highly trained professionals who respect and care for you, your comfort and modesty, and have procedures in place to make it painless.

Also, be aware - more people considered "too young" for colon cancer are getting the disease. The reasons for a higher incidence in people under the age of 40 is unclear and more research is underway. Often, their cancer will have progressed to a more advanced stage because they delayed in seeing their doctor. And, too, early on, there could be a missed diagnosis of colon cancer because healthcare providers haven't had an opportunity to examine and have that preventive effect that is being experienced in older adults who are undergoing routine screening. That is why it is so important to be aware of the signs and symptoms.

Screenings have made an enormous impact in reducing the number of colon cancer cases overall but most importantly in saving lives. However, according to the American Cancer Society, about 1 in 3 people in the U.S. who should get tested for colorectal cancer have never been screened. No matter the age or perceived awkwardness, please talk with your physician if you (or someone you care for) have any symptoms.

Dr. Nina Radcliff, of Galloway Township, is a physician anesthesiologist, television medical contributor and textbook author. Email questions for Dr. Nina to editor@pressofac.com with "Dr. Nina" in the subject line. This article is for general information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions and cannot substitute for the advice from your medical professional.