Page 4 - May 2018 HLN

Y Your guide to local health and wellness resources in the Lake Nona community.our guide to local health and wellness resources in the Lake Nona community.
SIMPLY EXPLAINED The Medical City Resource Guide
The Medical City Resource Guide
COLON CANCER RISK FACTORS COLORECTAL CANCER SYMPTOMS
Colorectal cancer first develops with few, if any, symptoms.
Colorectal Cancer often cannot explain why one person develops this disease It is important not to wait for symptoms before talking to
No one knows the exact causes of colon cancer. Doctors
your doctor about getting screened. However, if symptoms
and another does not. However, it is clear that colon cancer
are present, they may include:
is not contagious. No one can catch this disease from
another person.
constipation or a change in the consistency of your stool
Research has shown that people with certain risk factors • A change in your bowel habits, including diarrhea or
are more likely than others to develop colon cancer. A • Feeling that your bowel does not empty completely, rectal
risk factor is something that may increase the chance of bleeding, or finding blood (either bright red or very dark) in
olorectal cancer, or colon cancer, occurs in the colon developing a disease.
or rectum. As the graphic below shows, the colon is your stool
Cthe large intestine or large bowel. The rectum is the Studies have found the following risk factors for colon • Finding your stools are narrower than usual
passageway that connects the colon to the anus. cancer:
• Persistent abdominal discomfort, such as cramps, gas,
Colon cancer, when discovered early, is highly treatable. Age over 50: colon cancer is more likely to occur as pain, or feeling full or bloated
Even if it spreads into nearby lymph nodes, surgical people get older. More than 90 percent of people with this • Losing weight with no known reason
treatment followed by chemotherapy is highly successful. disease are diagnosed after age 50. The average age at
In the most difficult cases — when the cancer has diagnosis is 72. • Weakness or fatigue
metastasized to the liver, lungs or other sites — treatment
can prolong and add to one’s quality of life colon polyps: Polyps are growths on the inner wall of the • Having nausea or vomiting
colon or rectum. They are common in people over age These symptoms can also be associated with many other
Most colon cancers develop first as colorectal polyps, 50. Most polyps are benign (not cancer), but some polyps health conditions. Only your doctor can determine why
which are abnormal growths inside the colon or rectum that (adenomas) can become cancer. Finding and removing you’re having these symptoms. Usually, early cancer does
may later become cancerous. polyps may reduce the risk of colon cancer. not cause pain. It is important not to wait to feel pain before
Colon cancer Family history of colon cancer: Close relatives (parents, seeing a doctor.
affects men and brothers, sisters, or children) of a person with a history
women of all racial of colon cancer are somewhat more likely to develop this
and ethnic groups, disease themselves, especially if the relative had the
and is most often cancer at a young age. If many close relatives have a
found in people history of colon cancer, the risk is even greater.
50 years or older. Genetic alterations: Changes in certain genes increase
cancers in women, “ the risk of colon cancer.
It is the third most
common cancer in
the United States,
behind only lung
and prostate
WHEN TO SEE A DOCTOR
cancers in men and
lung and breast

and the second if you’re turning 50 If you notice any symptoms of
leading cause of cancer death. or are experiencing colon cancer, such as blood
In fact, it is estimated that in 2013, 50,830 people will die
of colon cancer. But the truth is: it doesn’t have to be this abnormal in your stool or a persistent
way. If everyone 50 years or older had a regular screening
test, as many as 80% of deaths from colon cancer could be change in bowel habits, make an
prevented. symptoms, GET appointment with your doctor.
Colon cancer screening saves lives. Screening detects
precancerous polyps and allows them to be removed SCREENED. And
before turning into cancer. Screening also helps find colon Talk to your doctor about when
cure. So please, take control of your life and your health – if urge those you love you should begin screening
cancer at an early stage, when treatment often leads to a
you’re turning 50 or are experiencing abnormal symptoms,
GET SCREENED. And urge those you love to do the same. for colon cancer. Guidelines generally recommend colon cancer
screenings begin at age 50. Your doctor may recommend more
frequent or earlier screening if you have other risk factors, such as

4 Discover more resources at www.healthylakenona.com a family history of the disease.
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4 Discover more resources at www.healthylakenona.com