Valley City Times-Record

Your Health: March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

Regular screening, beginning at age 45, is the key to preventing colorectal cancer (cancer of the colon or rectum). If you’re 45 to 75 years old, get screened for colorectal cancer regularly. If you’re younger than 45 and think you may be at high risk of getting colorectal cancer, or if you’re older than 75, talk to your doctor about screening.

Colorectal polyps and colorectal cancer don’t always cause symptoms, especially at first. That is why getting screened regularly for colorectal cancer is so important.

Several screening tests can be used to find polyps or colorectal cancer. Each test has advantages and disadvanta­ges. It is important to know that if your test result is positive or abnormal on some screening tests (stool tests, flexible sigmoidosc­opy, and CT colonograp­hy), a colonoscop­y test is needed to complete the screening process. Talk to your doctor about the pros and cons of each test, and how often to be tested.

The symptoms of colorectal cancer can include abdominal pain, aches, or cramps. If you have any symptoms that worry you, be sure to see your doctor right away. Colorectal polyps (abnormal growths in the colon or rectum that can turn into cancer if not removed) and colorectal cancer don’t always cause symptoms, especially at first. Someone could have polyps or colorectal cancer and not know it. That is why getting screened regularly for colorectal cancer is so important. If you have symptoms, they may include—

- A change in bowel habits.

- Blood in or on your stool (bowel movement).

- Diarrhea, constipati­on, or feeling that the bowel does not empty all the way.

- Abdominal pain, aches, or cramps that don’t go away.

- Weight loss and you don’t know why.

If you have any of these symptoms, talk to your doctor. They may be caused by something other than cancer. The only way to know what is causing them is to see your doctor.

You can reduce the risk of colorectal cancer. Overall, the most effective way to reduce your risk of colorectal cancer is to get screened for colorectal cancer routinely, beginning at age 45.

Almost all colorectal cancers begin as precancero­us polyps (abnormal growths) in the colon or rectum. Such polyps can be present in the colon for years before invasive cancer develops. They may not cause any symptoms, especially early on. Colorectal cancer screening can find precancero­us polyps so they can be removed before they turn into cancer. In this way, colorectal cancer is prevented. Screening can also find colorectal cancer early, when treatment works best.

Most people should begin screening for colorectal cancer soon after turning 45, then continue getting screened at regular intervals. However, you may need to be tested earlier than 45, or more often than other people, if you have—

• Inflammato­ry bowel disease such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.

• A personal or family history of colorectal cancer or colorectal polyps.

• A genetic syndrome such as familial adenomatou­s polyposis (FAP) external icon or hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (Lynch syndrome).

If you think you are at increased risk for colorectal cancer, speak with your doctor about— when to begin screening; which test is right for you; how often to get tested.

If you have any questions about colorectal cancer screenings, contact your healthcare provider or City-County Health District at 8458518.