Colorectal cancer: Easily preventable, more common than you think
Dr. Joseph Cali is an assistant professor of surgery at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth and a colorectal surgeon at UT Physicians Colon and Rectal Clinic. He is affiliated with Memorial Hermann Health System.
Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in the United States (according to the American Cancer Society). With March being Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, boardcertified colorectal surgeon Dr. Joseph Cali discusses why it’s important that you maintain regular screenings to prevent and catch colorectal cancer early.
Q: What is colorectal cancer, and who’s at risk?
A:
It is cancer of the colon and rectum, parts of the body that make up the large intestine, and typically develops from polyps, which are abnormal growths that can turn into cancer. Colorectal cancer is more common than one may think, with the average person having about a 5% chance of developing it in their lifetime, according to the American Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS).
Many believe that colorectal cancer only affects older men, when in fact both men and women are at equal risk, especially over the age of 45. Patients are at higher risk if they have certain risk factors, such as inflammatory bowel disease (i.e., ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease), polyposis syndrome or if they have a first-degree relative who had colorectal cancer.
Surprisingly, most patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer are average-risk individuals, meaning they had no known risk factors for the disease. In recent years, patients are being diagnosed at a younger age – as we saw last year with the death of actor Chadwick Boseman, who died from colon cancer at age 43. No matter your age, do not delay getting any symptoms evaluated by a colorectal surgeon or gastroenterologist. The most common symptoms and signs people should look out for include rectal bleeding, change in bowel habits, abdominal discomfort and unintended weight loss. However, patients with early stage colorectal cancer typically don’t experience any symptoms, making it critical to be screened.
Q:
Why are screenings for colorectal cancer important? A:
With regular screenings, colorectal cancer is one of the most preventable and highly treatable cancers if caught early. Both the ASCRS and the American Cancer Society recommend that screenings should begin for average risk individuals at age 45. Those who have risk factors may need to be screened earlier and more often.
There are several different screening options for patients to choose from, but colonoscopies are the most effective to detect colorectal cancer and remove pre-cancerous polyps. It’s a simple and painless exam that inspects the entire colon. Many patients consider the preparation to be the most difficult part. Most insurance providers cover routine colonoscopy screenings, and if you have normal results, you may only need to get one every 10 years. Other screenings include fecal immunochemical tests, fecal DNA analyses and virtual colonoscopies. However, these tests are done more often, and if they find polyps or other abnormalities, then the patient will need to follow up with a colonoscopy. Colorectal cancer can be cured in up to 90% of cases (ASCRS) if found early, so it’s crucial that you stay up-to-date with your regular screenings, regardless of whether you have an increased risk or not.
Q: How do you treat colorectal cancer?
A:
There is no one-size-fits-all for colorectal cancer treatment. We assign a clinical stage to patients depending on how far their cancer has progressed. From there, we determine the type of treatment they need – ranging from chemotherapy and radiation to surgery – and take patient preferences and other comorbidities into consideration. At Memorial Hermann, our multidisciplinary team of affiliated surgeons, oncologists and radiation oncologists work with patients to help them decide which treatment option works best for them and their clinical stage.
When treating patients with surgery, the main goal is to eliminate the cancer. This could include removing a part of the colon or rectum through a colectomy or rectal resection, though the type of surgery performed depends on how localized or widespread the cancer is. Today, surgeons often use a minimally invasive or robotic-assisted approach to remove the cancer, allowing for shorter recovery times.
Q:
What else can I do to prevent colorectal cancer? A:
Maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle can help lower your risk for colorectal cancer by decreasing the chance for polyp formation. This includes regular exercise, not smoking, not drinking excessively, and supplementing a healthy diet with vitamins. However, the most effective thing you can do is to schedule and keep your colorectal screenings. Take the first step in preventing colorectal cancer by scheduling your colonoscopy screening appointment today at memorialhermann.org/doctors/colon-rectalsurgeons This week’s Physician’s Corner brought to you by: