Colorectal Cancer

You never want to hear that you have colon cancer. But the reality is that around 4% of men and women will develop colorectal cancer in their lifetime.

The treatment of colon cancer is most successful when caught early. And that’s why preventative screening is a crucial part of maintaining your digestive health.

This page will first discuss what colon cancer is. We’ll then outline the staging of colon cancer and the associated treatment. Lastly, we’ll discuss how to prevent colon cancer.

Colon cancer is cancer that originates in the colon. And rectal cancer is cancer that begins in the rectum. Collectively, these types of cancer describe colorectal cancer.

The colon is the longest part of the large intestine. This is where your body breaks down food and forms waste. Waste then moves through the colon and sits in the rectum until you’re ready to pass a bowel movement.

Usually, colorectal cancer grows slowly over many years. But in the later stages of the disease, it may spread to other parts of the body.

The staging of colon cancer ranges from stage 0 to stage 4 and describes how far it has spread. Staging can help doctors determine how best to treat this condition.

Stage 0

Stage 0 colon cancer is the earliest diagnosable stage. This stage of cancer grows on the inner lining of the colon and has not spread.

Stage 1

Stage 1 colon cancer spreads into the layers of the colon wall. This stage of cancer has not spread to the lymph nodes or distant parts of the body.

Stage 2

Stage 2 colon cancer spreads through the wall of the colon. Some types of stage 2 cancer may also spread to nearby tissues or organs. But this stage of cancer does not extend to the lymph nodes.

Stage 3

Stage 3 colon cancer spreads to nearby lymph nodes. This stage of cancer has not spread to distant parts of the body.

Stage 4

Stage 4 colon cancer spreads throughout the lymphatic system and may grow in distant parts of the body.

Often, colon cancer does not cause symptoms early on. But you may experience signs of colon cancer in the later stages of the disease.

Signs of colon cancer may include:

• Change in bowel habits
  • Diarrhea
  • Constipation
• Thin stools
• Incomplete emptying
• Rectal bleeding
• Blood in the stool
• Abdominal pain
• Fatigue
• Weight loss

Colon cancer can cause various symptoms depending on the location and size of the polyp(s). But just because you experience the above symptoms doesn’t mean you have colon cancer. Many other digestive conditions can cause similar symptoms.

If you live in Lubbock, Texas, and want to find the root cause of your symptoms, you can schedule an appointment online or call our office at (806) 696-4440.

Certain factors can increase your risk of colon cancer. Some of these factors are beyond your control. But many are modifiable lifestyle choices.

Risk factors for colon cancer include:

• Age
• Family history of colon cancer
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Ulcerative colitis
• Genetic syndromes
  • Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)
  • Lynch syndrome
• Physical inactivity
• Processed, high-fat diet
• Obesity
• Alcohol consumption
• Smoking

The treatment of colon cancer is most effective when started in the early stages of the disease. The 5-year survival rate for people with early-stage colorectal cancer is 90%. Unfortunately, survival rates are lower if the cancer has spread outside the colon or rectum.

Treatment of colon cancer may include:

• Chemotherapy
• Radiation therapy
• Targeted drug therapy
• Immunotherapy
• Surgery

If colon cancer is caught early, treatment may be as simple as removing polyp(s) during a colonoscopy. But the treatment of late-stage colon cancer may need more extensive surgery combined with the above therapies to remove malignant growths.

Colon cancer is a preventable disease. Many lifestyle choices can help you reduce your risk. We’ll discuss how to prevent colon cancer with some of these strategies below.

Regular Exercise

Maintaining a healthy weight with regular exercise can improve your gut health. Obesity and a sedentary lifestyle can contribute to the development of colon cancer. Daily physical activity can reduce your risk.

Plant-Based Foods

Eating a diet based on plant-based foods can reduce your risk of developing colon polyps. It can also decrease inflammation in the digestive tract. Minimizing red meats and processed meats can also improve gut health by reducing inflammation.

Screening Colonoscopy

A colonoscopy is a life-saving procedure that examines the inside of the colon and rectum. This procedure can prevent colon cancer development by detecting and removing pre-cancerous polyps before they turn into cancer.

If colon polyps become cancerous, a colonoscopy can catch cancer early. Regular preventive screening is vital to reduce your risk of colon cancer. Talk to your doctor about when you should start colon cancer screening.

Dr. Sameer Islam is a West Texas native and gastroenterologist in Lubbock, Texas. He helps you improve your gut health and prevent the development of medical complications.

If you have concerns about colon cancer, or if you want to schedule a colonoscopy, you can make an appointment online or call our office at (806) 696-4440.