What is Colorectal Cancer?
Colorectal cancer includes cancer of the colon, rectum and appendix. It is estimated that every year in the United States, 145,000 people develop colorectal cancer, with men and women being at equal risk. 57,000 people die of this disease annually.
The colon and rectum are responsible for the storage and elimination of the body's solid waste. They are lined with a covering which, with aging, tends to develop growths called polyps. It is these polyps that may develop into colorectal cancer over time. This sequence of a normal colon developing polyps and eventually becoming cancerous usually takes 10 to 15 years, which allows ample opportunity to identify and remove the polyps, thereby stopping colorectal cancer from ever developing.
How to Prevent Colorectal Cancer
Several approaches are known to decrease the risk of developing colorectal cancer:
Those who maintain a healthy lifestyle are less likely to develop colorectal cancer.
- Low fat, high fiber diet
- No smoking
- Alcohol in moderation
- Active lifestyle
A variety of dietary supplements and medications have been shown to decrease the risk of colorectal cancer. The following has the most supporting evidence:
- Fiber - 2 g supplemental daily
- Aspirin - At a schedule and dose discussed with your primary physician
- Calcium - 3 g calcium carbonate or 1200 mg elemental calcium daily
- Selenium - 200 mcg daily
- Folic Acid - 400 mcg daily
- Vitamins A,C & E - RDA levels
As always, check with your primary doctor before starting any new medicines or supplements.
Regular Screenings
Following a prescribed screening program and removing any identified polyps before they become cancerous has been shown to be the most protective thing you can do to prevent developing cancer of the colon and rectum.
- Most men and women start screenings at age 50. Those with close family members with colorectal cancer, certain colon diseases, or unexplained bleeding, bowel changes or weight loss should begin at an earlier age, as determined by discussion with their doctor.
- Colonoscopy is the "gold standard" method of screening. It allows immediate removal of polyps, the cancer precursors, with special microinstrumentation.
What You Should Know
- Screening for colorectal cancer not only finds cancer at an earlier stage (when it is more curable), but actually prevents cancers from developing by removing polyps (growths of the colon lining), from which colon cancers arise.
- By following a prescribed screening program, you can decrease your risk of developing colorectal cancer by more than 90%.
- Colonoscopy is the "gold standard" for evaluation of the colon and rectum, and allows for the removal of polyps.
- Colonoscopy is the visualization of the entire colon and rectum with a flexible, lighted, fiberoptic camera. During this procedure, most people require intravenous sedation while monitored in a specialized outpatient hospital setting. The minimal risks are far outweighed by the opportunity to prevent colorectal cancer.
For more information on the Colorectal Cancer Screening Program, please call
(818) 507-4120
, or for a free physician referral, please call
(818) 502-2378
.
