Colorectal Cancer—cancer of the colon or rectum--is the fourth most common cancer in men, after skin, prostate, and lung cancer. And, it’s also the fourth most common cancer in women, after skin, breast, and lung cancer.
During 2009, there were an estimated 146,970 new cases of colorectal cancer in the United States with deaths from colorectal cancer estimated at 49,920. The risk of a person having colorectal cancer in their lifetime is about 1 in 19.
Although colorectal cancer (CRC) affects both men and women, the majority of cases are diagnosed in those 50 or older. According to Lotfi Hadad, MD, Hematology and Oncology Specialist for Daviess Community Hospital, most cancers develop over many years from benign adenomatous polyps. “Precancerous polyps can be detected and removed during certain screening procedures, thereby preventing CRC,” says Dr. Hadad. “And when CRC is found early and appropriately treated, survival is greatly enhanced.”
Most colorectal cancers occur in those with no family or personal history of CRC and no risk factors that would place them at high risk for developing colorectal cancer. Among people considered at high risk for CRC are those with a personal or family history of colorectal cancer or polyps, people who have had inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease), and those with genetic syndromes (familial adenomatous polyposis or hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer). “Patients with symptoms require
immediate diagnostic testing,” says Dr. Hadad. “Symptoms may include rectal bleeding,
abdominal discomfort, pain, bloating, a change in bowel habits, iron deficiency anemia, and unexplained weight loss.”
According to the American College of Gastroenterology, a colonoscopy every 10 years beginning at age 50 or at age 45 if you are African-American, is the preferred colorectal cancer prevention and screening test. Colonscopy as well as flexible sigmoidoscopy, virtual colonoscopy, and double contrast barium enema, are used to look for disease in people who do not have any symptoms.
In many cases, these screening tests can find colorectal cancers at a very early stage, thus greatly improving the chances of successful treatment. They can also help prevent some cancers by allowing doctors to find and remove polyps that might become cancer.
The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) says that if everyone aged 50 years old or older were screened regularly, as many as 60% of deaths from this cancer could be avoided.
For more information on colorectal cancer, talk with your physician or medical provider or call the Daviess Community Hospital Specialty/Oncology Clinic at 812-254-8855. | 
Dr. Lotfi Hadad, DCH Hematology/Oncology Specialist |