March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and this is a topic that is not openly talked about enough. This month is an opportunity for everyone to raise awareness about this common type of cancer. Did you know that this is the third most common type of cancer? According to the American Cancer Society, excluding skin cancers, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women in the United States. The American Cancer Society’s estimates for the number of colorectal cancers in the United States for 2024 are:
- About 106,590 new cases of colon cancer (54,210 in men and 52,380 in women)
- About 46,220 new cases of rectal cancer (27,330 in men and 18,890 in women)
The rate of people being diagnosed with colon or rectal cancer each year has dropped overall since the mid-1980s, mainly because more people are getting screened and changing their lifestyle-related risk factors. However, in people younger than 55, rates have been increasing by 1% to 2% a year since the mid-1990s. Overall, the lifetime risk of developing colorectal cancer is about 1 in 23 for men and 1 in 25 for women.
What is Colorectal Cancer?
Colorectal cancer is a form of cancer characterized by growths called polyps in either the colon or rectum. It is important to note that not all polyps will become cancerous. You can learn more about what colorectal cancer is by visiting the American Cancer Society’s article, “What Is Colorectal Cancer?”.
Colorectal cancer risk factors
- Being overweight or obese
- Not being physically active
- Certain types of diets
- A diet that's high in red meats (such as beef, pork, lamb, or liver) and processed meats (like hot dogs and some luncheon meats) raises your colorectal cancer risk.
- Having a low blood level of vitamin D may also increase your risk.
- Smoking
- Alcohol use
- Being older
- Your risk of colorectal cancer goes up as you age. Younger adults can get it, but it's much more common after age 50. Colorectal cancer is rising among people who are younger than age 50 and the reason for this remains unclear.
- A personal history of adenomatous colorectal polyps or colorectal cancer
- A personal history of inflammatory bowel disease (such as ulcerative colitis or crohn’s disease)
- A family history of colorectal cancer or adenomatous polyps
- Most colorectal cancers are found in people without a family history of colorectal cancer. Still, as many as 1 in 3 people who develop colorectal cancer have other family members who have had it.
- People with a history of colorectal cancer in a first-degree relative (parent, sibling, or child) are at increased risk. The risk is even higher if that relative was diagnosed with cancer when they were younger than 50, or if more than one first-degree relative is affected.
- Having an inherited syndrome
- About 5% of people who develop colorectal cancer have inherited gene changes (mutations) that cause family cancer syndromes and can lead to them getting the disease.
- The most common inherited syndromes linked with colorectal cancers are Lynch syndrome and familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), but other rarer syndromes can increase colorectal cancer risk, too.
- Rare inherited conditions linked to colorectal cancer
- Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS)
- MUTYH-associated polyposis (MAP)
- Cystic fibrosis (CF)
- Your racial and ethnic background
- American Indian and Alaska Native people have the highest rates of colorectal cancer in the US, followed by African American men and women. Jews of Eastern European descent (Ashkenazi Jews) have one of the highest colorectal cancer risks of any ethnic group in the world.
- Having type 2 diabetes
Prevention
There is no way to completely prevent colorectal cancer, but there are steps you can take to decrease your risk:
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Eat a nutritious and balanced diet
- Get regular exercise/activity
- Limit alcohol consumption
- Don’t smoke
- Screenings - the most important step for prevention
Screening
Regular screenings are imperative for the prevention and early detection of colorectal cancer. The American Cancer Society states, “From the time the first abnormal cells start to grow into polyps, it usually takes about 10 to 15 years for them to develop into colorectal cancer.” This means screenings can help detect the polyps early before they have a chance to become cancerous and/or find cancer early when it’s small and easy to treat.
These screenings normally begin at the age of 45-50, but family history and other factors may affect this. Check with your physician on when you should be screened and how often. If your screening is normal you likely will only need to be re-screened every 5-10 years, but this can vary based on your medical history.
Types of Screenings:
There are two main types of screening tests:
Visual exams: These tests use a scope (a long tube with a camera at the end) to look directly for abnormal areas inside the colon and rectum. Polyps or abnormal growths can also be removed at the same time, allowing for a biopsy of the tissue to be done.
Examples of visual screening tests are:
- Colonoscopy is the most common visual exam and is recommended in most cases.
- Sigmoidoscopy is also a visual exam; however, it looks at less of the colon.
- Virtual colonoscopy uses CT technology to visualize the colon but does not allow removal of abnormal tissue.
Stool-based tests: These tests check the stool (feces) for signs of cancer. These tests are less invasive and easier to have done, but they need to be done more often and can be less accurate.
Examples of stool-based tests are:
- Fecal occult blood test
- Guaiac-based fecal occult blood test (gFOBT)
- DNA stool test (Cologuard)
Diagnosis and Treatment
If you are diagnosed with colorectal cancer your doctor will develop a treatment plan. Treatment will vary depending on what stage of cancer the individual has been diagnosed with, but options include:
- Surgery
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation therapy
- Target drug therapy
- Immunotherapy
- Supportive (palliative) care
Schedule Your Screening Today
Let’s make talking about colorectal cancer more normalized. Don’t be afraid to ask your mom, dad, or other loved ones if they have been screened. Awareness is key for the prevention and early detection of this type of cancer. At Northwest Family, we offer screening colonoscopies at all three of our clinics. Schedule a screening for yourself or a loved one today to help save a life. Questions about which screening method is best for you? Talk to your doctor.