Compliments of Understanding Johns Hopkins Medicine Colorectal International

Colorectal cancer is cancer that develops from cells in the colon or . The colon and the rectum are parts of the , which is part of the digestive system. Because colon cancer and rectal have many features in common, they are sometimes referred to together as .

The World Health Organization (WHO) Symptoms • Fecal immunochemical test (FIT). lists colon cancer as one of the deadliest Each individual may experience Similar to a test, but forms of cancer. According to the symptoms differently. People who have does not require restrictions on diet or National Cancer Institute, 4.96 percent any of the following symptoms should medications prior to the test. of men and women will be diagnosed check with their doctors, especially if they • Flexible . Allows with colorectal cancer. It is highly curable are older than 50 or have risk factors: the doctor to examine the inside of when detected early and treated according a portion of the large intestine. A to best practices. • Change in bowel habits: , short, flexible, lighted tube called a or narrowing of the stool sigmoidoscope is inserted through the risk FACtors that lasts for more than a few days rectum. The scope blows air into the Research suggests a relationship between • Rectal , dark stools or blood in intestine to inflate it and make viewing colorectal cancer and several factors: the stool the inside easier. However, this test • Cramping or gnawing abdominal does not look at the right side of the • Age: Most sufferers are over age 50, • Decreased appetite colon, and about 42 percent of patients but the incidence of colon cancer is •  diagnosed with colorectal cancer will increasing among younger people. • Weight loss have cancer on the right side. • Race: Men and women of African • Weakness and fatigue • . Allows the doctor descent have the highest risk. to view the entire length of the large • Lifestyle factors: Colorectal cancer is The symptoms of colorectal cancer intestine, and can often help identify often associated with a diet high in red may resemble other conditions, abnormal growths, inflamed tissue, and processed meats, while a high-fiber such as infections, and ulcers and bleeding. It involves inserting diet may be protective. Obesity, physical inflammatory bowel disease. It is also a colonoscope (a long, flexible, lighted inactivity, heavy alcohol consumption possible to have colon cancer and not tube) into the rectum and up into the and smoking all increase risk. have any symptoms. Always consult your colon. It allows the doctor to see the • Polyps: Benign growths on the wall doctor for a diagnosis. lining of the colon, remove tissue for of the colon or rectum are common in Screening further examination and possibly treat people over age 50, and are believed to some problems that are discovered. lead to colorectal cancer. Finding colorectal cancers early is the best • CT colonography (virtual • Family history: There are genetic way to improve the chance of successful colonoscopy). A noninvasive syndromes associated with colon cancer. treatment. Screening tests may even procedure (although a small tube is Any person who has a family member find polyps that can be removed before inserted into the rectum to pump air diagnosed with colon cancer at a they become cancerous. Your doctor can and contrast/dye into the colon) that young age should consider colonoscopy recommend screening methods based on uses computerized tomography (CT) to screening at an earlier age. your risk. Here are just a few: Type 2 examine the colon for polyps or masses. •  • Fecal occult blood test. Checks for Ulcerative or Crohn’s A standard colonoscopy will be needed •  hidden (occult) blood in the stool. It disease if this test has abnormal results. involves placing a very small amount of stool on a special card, which is then sent to a laboratory.

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