March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Colorectal cancer is a common and potentially life threatening disease.

The American Cancer Society estimates 135,430 adults in the United States will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2017. Overall, the lifetime risk of developing colorectal cancer is about 1 in 21 (4.7%) for men and 1 in 23 (4.4%) for women.

Individuals with colorectal cancer may present with or without symptoms. Symptoms include red blood in the stool or tarry stools, abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, changes in bowel habits and unexplained iron deficiency.

Screening Recommendations

Fortunately, the death rate from colorectal cancer has been declining for most of the past 20 years, possibly because it is usually diagnosed earlier now and treatments have improved.

Screening colonoscopy, beginning at age 50, is the key to detecting colorectal cancer in its early-stage. People at higher risk of developing colorectal cancer should begin screening at a younger age.

High risk individuals include those who have colon polyps, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis, a close relative who has had colorectal cancer or a hereditary genetic syndrome linked to colorectal cancer.

Treatment Options

Surgery is typically the only treatment needed for colon cancer that has not spread to other organs; however, chemotherapy (medicine to treat cancer) may be needed if the cancer has spread beyond the colon wall to the lymph nodes.

Chemotherapy along with radiation treatment that uses a special kind of high-energy beam to damage cancer cells is recommended prior to surgery in patients that have rectal carcinoma.

With regular screening, colon cancer can be found early, when treatment is most effective.

In many cases, screening can prevent colon cancer by finding and removing polyps before they become cancer.

And if cancer is present, earlier detection means a chance at a longer life.

Prevention & Risk Reduction

Remember, there are lots of things you can do to reduce your risk for colon cancer at any age. They including eating well, getting lots of exercise, avoiding alcohol and tobacco and knowing your family history.

A diet rich in fruits, whole grains and vegetables appears to lower the risk of many cancers, including colon cancer.

Calcium and vitamin D may also lessen the risk of colon cancer — whether you get them from food or supplements — by reducing precancerous polyps.

If you drink alcohol, keep your intake moderate — no more than two drinks a day for men, one for women.

There is a strong link between higher alcohol intake and colon cancer, especially in people with a family history of the disease.

Tobacco has been linked to many cancers; therefore, it is best to stay away from cigarettes or any other tobacco products.

Laura Gros, RN, is the patient care coordinator with the Cancer Center of Thibodaux Regional Medical Center. She can be reached at 985-493-4008.