That was the rallying cry of Ernestine Hambrick, M.D., first woman to become a board certified colon and rectal surgeon. And she’s right. Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer deaths for men and women combined in the United States, surpassing both breast cancer and prostate cancer. About 140,000 new cases of colorectal cancer are diagnosed each year, and another 56,000 people die annually of this disease. But the good news is that colorectal cancer is a disease that can be prevented and cured if detected and treated early through simple screening tests. Simply put: It is a cancer nobody has to have, because it is one of the most preventable of all cancers.

“Colorectal cancer is the only major cancer killer that can be prevented at this time,” says Chris Davis, M.D., colorectal surgeon. “People have mammograms and prostate checks, which are important because they catch cancer early. With colonoscopies, polyps can be detected and removed before colon cancer has time to develop.”

How does it start?
Colorectal cancers almost always begin as noncancerous growths, called polyps, which develop on the lining of the colon and rectum. Polyps can become cancerous, but if they are found early enough through screening tests and promptly removed, the cancer can easily be stopped before it ever gets started.

“Research has shown that up to 90 percent of colorectal cancers can be prevented just by finding and removing these polyps before they become a cancer,” says Jennifer McNeil, M.D., colorectal surgeon. Screening tests look for polyps so they can be removed, thereby preventing the cancer from ever developing. However, three out of five Americans are not being tested.

What are the risk factors?
Your risk for developing colorectal cancer increases with age, but lifestyle factors and genetics also play a role.

The risk for colorectal cancer generally increases after age 40. Then, the risk rises sharply beginning around age 50 and doubles with each passing decade, according to the National Cancer Institute.

Researchers say that diet also seems to affect your risk for developing colorectal cancer. People whose diets are high in fat (especially fats from animal sources), protein, calories, alcohol and meat, and low in calcium and folate, appear more likely to develop this type of cancer than people whose diets are low in fat and high in fiber, the National Cancer Institute says. However, it should be noted that although fiber was first thought to aid in prevention of colorectal cancer, recent studies have shown conflicting results. Additionally, a diet low in vitamin D has been found to increase risk.

Obesity and smoking can also increase the risk for colon cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. And a sedentary lifestyle has been cited as a risk factor as well. The USDA therefore recommends getting at least 30 to 60 minutes of exercise as many days of the week as possible. And of course – quit smoking!

Screening equals prevention
The biggest key to preventing colorectal cancer is to get tested starting at age 50 if you’re at average risk, or at an earlier age if you are at increased risk, says the American Cancer Society. If you are at increased risk for colorectal cancer, talk to your health care provider about which screening method is right for you, when you should begin screening and how often you need it. If you have a family history of colorectal cancer, talk to your doctor about screening tests and when you should receive them.

Be Aware
If you have any of these symptoms, talk to your doctor; they may be caused by colorectal cancer or a noncancerous condition. According to the American Cancer Society, symptoms of colorectal cancer may include:

• A change in bowel habits. This could be diarrhea, constipation or a narrowing of the stool that lasts for more than a few days.
• A continuing feeling that you need to have a bowel movement.
• Bleeding from the rectum, or blood in the stool.
• Cramping or steady stomach pain.
• Weakness or tiredness.

Jenielle’s Story
Jenielle Greenlee wants others to learn from her experience. Her recently diagnosed rectosigmoid colorectal cancer was caught early enough to avoid radiation and chemotherapy, but not surgery.

“I think it is just so important for people to know about what happened to me,” she says.

Jenielle turned 60 last July and wishes she had been screened earlier. She also wishes her primary doctor had encouraged her to do this earlier.

“If I had been screened earlier, I wouldn’t have even needed surgery,” she says. “We’re just really fortunate ... if I had gone in for a screening in the first place, this never would have happened.”

Jenielle’s type of cancer was a T2 tumor, meaning it had only gone through the second wall of the colon and had not yet spread to other areas. Chemotherapy is typically needed when a tumor has progressed to a T3.

“I’ve made it my personal crusade to ask anyone I meet, ’How old are you and have you had your screening done?’ People need to be aware, be responsible for their health, because it is the most curable cancer, if caught early enough.”

Colorectal Cancer is a Battle You Don’t Have to Fight.
The good news is it can be prevented and cured if detected and treated early. Click here for more details.

INTEGRIS Health 3300 N.W. Expressway, Oklahoma City, OK 73112 (405) 949-3011 | HealthLine: (888) 951-2277