March is colon cancer awareness month. Each year, nearly 137,000 people are diagnosed with colon cancer in the U.S., and more than 50,000 people die from it. Among cancers that affect both men and women, colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States. However, it is one of only a few cancers that can be prevented through screening. And it is treatable – and beatable – with early detection.

What is it?

Colon cancer is a cancer that starts in the colon or large intestine. It occurs when cells in the colon start to grow abnormally. These are called polyps. Although most polyps are benign, some can develop into cancer over several years. Like other cancers, it can spread to other parts of the body if left untreated.

Who is at risk?

Colon cancer is common in both men and women, but certain factors may increase your risk. These include:

• Inflammatory bowel diseases (ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease).
• A personal or family history of colon cancer or polyps.
• Age over 45.
• African American race/ethnicity.
• Obesity.
• Certain lifestyle choices, such as tobacco use, regular alcohol consumption, eating a lot of red or processed meats, a diet low in fiber and lack of regular physical exercise.

What are the symptoms?

Colon cancer does not always cause symptoms, especially at first. That is why early and regular screening is so important, especially if you have risk factors! Some of the most common symptoms include:

• Changes in bowel habits (chronic diarrhea or constipation or a narrowing of the shape of the stool).
• Blood in or on your stools.
• Weight loss without trying.
• Abdominal pain, aches or cramps that do not go away.
• Chronic fatigue.

Screening Recommendations

Although colonoscopy screening used to be recommended for people starting at age 50, the guidelines have recently been decreased to age 45 due to a disturbing trend of increasing rates of colon cancer diagnosis and death in younger people. People who are in good health and have a life expectancy of more than 10 years should continue regular screening through age 75. For people ages 76 through 85, the decision to be screened should be based on preferences, life expectancy, overall health and prior screening history.

There are several ways to get screened for colon cancer including a colonoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy, a CT scan or a stool test. Each screening has advantages and disadvantages, so talk to your health care provider about which screening test is right for you. It should be noted that an abnormal finding on one of the stool tests, the flexible sigmoidoscopy or a CT scan would require a colonoscopy to be performed to complete the screening process.

No matter which screening test you choose, the most important thing is that you get screened early and on a routine basis. According to the National Cancer Institute, individuals diagnosed with stage 1 colon cancer have a 92% survival rate, however individuals diagnosed with stage 4 (metastatic) colon cancer only have an 11% survival rate. Colon cancer screening saves lives!

References: American Cancer Society--Cancer Statistics Center, American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, Centers for Disease Control, National Cancer Institute and The Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates

Submitted by: The Aultman Hospital Endoscopy Team