Colon or colorectal cancer, is defined as cancer that starts in the large intestine or the rectum (the end of the colon). Most colorectal cancers start as a growth on the inner lining of the colon or rectum. These growths are called polyps.

The Problem

• Colorectal cancer is currently the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S.
• Colon cancer incidence in 2017
• 97,220 new cases of colon cancer
• 43,030 new cases of rectal cancer
• Overall, the lifetime risk of developing colorectal cancer is about
  • 1 in 22 (4.49%) for men
  • 1 in 24 (4.15%) for women
• It’s expected to cause about 50,630deaths during 2018.
• The death rate (the number of deaths per 100,000 people per year) from colorectal cancer has been dropping due to better treatment and early detection.
• One in three adults still isn’t getting screened for colorectal cancer when they should be.

Risk Factors

• Adults over the age of 50
• Family history of the disease
• Past endometrial, breast, ovarian, colon or rectal cancer
• A history of inflammatory disease of the colon like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
• Personal history of colon polyps
• African American
• Inherited syndromes that increase colon cancer risk
• Family history of colon cancer
• Cigarette smoking
• Heavy alcohol use
• History of radiation therapy for cancer

Colon Cancer can Affect Anyone

• Sam Simon “The Simpsons” co-creator  died in 2015 after a long and public battle with colon cancer.
• Katie Kouric lost her husband, Jay, to colorectal cancer in 1998.
• Sharon Osbourne was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2002.
• Ronald Reagon, the 40th president underwent surgery for colon cancer in July of 1985.
• Pope John Paul had surgery to remove colon cancerin 1992.
• Kareem Abdul Jabbar “My grandfather died from colorectal cancer, my uncle died from colorectal cancer and my father almost died from colorectal cancer,” adding that he himself has the gene.

Screening recommendation

• Age 50-75 for general population
• Age 45 or earlier if risk factors present (see above)

Options for Screening Tests

Can be collected at home and returned to MD office if positive further evaluation is required

• FOBT test (looks for blood in sample)
• DNA (looks for cell DNA in sample)

Must be done in a facility. The patient needs to prep beforehand.

• Sigmoidoscopy (camera looks at lower part of colon)
• Colonoscopy (camera looks at entire colon)

What You Can Do

• Get screened when appropriate It’s not as bad as you think!
• Eat a variety of fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
• Drink alcohol in moderation, if at all.
• Stop smoking.
• Exercise most days of the week.
• Maintain a healthy weight.