Colorectal cancer is a disease in which normal cells in the colon or rectum stop functioning properly and begin to grow uncontrollably. If not treated or removed, these cancerous cells will eventually form a growth or tumor, which can interfere with proper functioning of the colon or rectum and spread to cause cancer in other parts of the body.

The colon and rectum are segments of the large intestine, and they play an important role in the body's ability to digest food and pass waste. The colon makes up the first 6 feet of the large intestine and the rectum is the last 8 to 10 inches ending near the anus.

The colon has four sections. The ascending colon is the part that goes up from a pouch called the cecum on the right side of the abdomen. The transverse colon crosses the top of the abdomen. Then the descending colon takes food down the left side. Finally, the sigmoid colon at the bottom takes food a few more inches downward to the rectum.

Colorectal cancer can begin in either the colon or the rectum. Cancer that begins in the colon is often referred to as colon cancer and cancer that begins in the rectum may be called rectal cancer.

Most colorectal cancers begin in polyps, non-cancerous growths that may occur on the inner wall of the colon and rectum as people get older. Since certain types of polyps may eventually turn cancerous, one way to prevent colorectal cancer is to detect and remove polyps before they become cancerous.

Most colon and rectal cancers form cancerous tumors called adenocarcinomas, cancers of the cells that line the inside tissue of the colon and rectum. Tumors called carcinoid tumors, gastrointestinal stromal tumors and lymphomas can also begin in the colon or rectum.

As we well know, there are many kinds of cancer; unfortunately they all come about because of the out-of-control growth of abnormal cells.

Cancer of the Colon and Rectum is the third most common cancer in adults and accounts for 10% of all cancer deaths. It is also referred to as colorectal cancer or carcinoma and usually grows in the lining of the large intestine. Other types of cancer that can grow in the large intestine include lymphomas, melanomas or sarcomas.

In most cases, colon cancer has no symptoms, therefore, it is very often diagnosed and treated in the advanced stages when the success rate is reduced. Hidden blood in the stool is mostly the first, and often times the only warning sign. In a high percentage polyps precede the development of colon cancer.

Incidence
Colorectal cancer generally occurs in 1 out of every 20 individuals at some point in their lifetimes. Approximately 150,000 new cases are diagnosed each year in this country. This is about 15% of the total number of new cancer diagnoses. Colorectal cancer causes about 56,000 deaths a year in the United States, although this number appears to have been declining over the past two decades.

When colorectal cancer is detected early, survival rates are much higher. For example, 92% of patients who receive early treatment are still alive after 5 years. When adjacent organs or lymph nodes are affected, 64% of people survive 5 years. If the cancer is carried to distant organs, the rate drops to only 7%.

Since these statistics are based on patients who were treated 5 years ago, patients currently undergoing treatment may show higher survival rates due to more effective detection and treatment methods.

Most professionals believe that colorectal cancer develops gradually over a period of years. Cells change from a precancerous state to a cancerous state during this time. Thus it is essential that patients undergo screening for early detection of precancerous conditions.

The American Cancer Society estimates that about 106,370 new cases of colon cancer (50,400 men and 55,970 women) and 40,570 new cases of rectal cancer (23,220 men and 17,350 women) will be diagnosed in 2004.

Colorectal cancer is expected to cause about 56,730 deaths (28,320 men and 28,410 women) during 2004.

Screening tests can prevent colorectal cancer

There are ways to prevent colorectal cancer — screening tests are the most effective. Most cases of the disease begin as non-cancerous polyps — grape-like growths on the lining of the colon and rectum. These polyps can become cancerous.

Removing these polyps can prevent colorectal cancer from ever developing. Approximately 90 percent of colorectal cancers and deaths are thought to be preventable.

Because there are often no symptons related to polyps, it is important to be routinely screened.

... or detect it in its earliest, most curable stages

Colorectal cancer screening tests save lives even when they detect polyps that have become cancerous by catching colorectal cancer in its earliest, most curable stages. When discovered early, the disease can be cured in most cases.

Along with regular colorectal cancer screenings, regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight can reduce your risk of being diagnosed with colorectal cancer. While recent research has presented conflicting evidence about fruits and vegetables and the prevention of colorectal cancer, a diet rich in fruits and vegetables provides overall health benefits and can help prevent other cancers. On-going research will help answer questions about the extent to which dietary changes can protect against colorectal cancer.

The risk of developing colorectal cancer increases with age. Starting at age 50, men and women who are at average risk for the disease should get screened. Men and women who have a higher risk of colorectal cancer may need to be tested earlier and should talk to their health care professional about when.

Some people are at a higher risk for developing colorectal cancer and may need to be tested earlier. Because of disproportionate screening, minorities, particularly African-Americans and Hispanics, are more likely to be diagnosed with colorectal cancer in advanced stages. As a result, death rates are higher for these populations than they are for white Americans.

All men and women should talk with their health care professional about colorectal cancer and colorectal cancer screening tests. It is also very important to know your family medical history, because colorectal cancer can be hereditary.

* Personal or family history of colorectal cancer, colorectal polyps or inflammatory disease, like ulcerative colitis

* Diet low in vegetables, fruits and fiber

* Diet high in fat and saturated fat

* Diet high in red meat and/or processed meat

* Diet high in sugar and/or alcohol

* Over the age of 50

* Live in an economically developed, industrialized, urban environment

* Above average height and/or weight

* Physically inactive

* Smoke

* Eat more vegetables, fruits, legumes, and whole grains

* Eat less fat and saturated fat

* Stay active and maintain healthy weight

* Drink alcohol in moderation, if at all

* Don’t use any form of tobacco

* Have regular exams by a physician

* Be alert of symptoms

- Prolonged diarrhea

- Blood in stool

- Stools smaller in width than usual

- General abdominal discomfort

- Frequent gas pains

- Feeling as if bowel does not empty completely

- Abnormal fatigue