In the past, colon cancer was a death sentence. Colon cancer patients had no idea they had this cancer until it was much too late. They would come to their doctors with Stage III or IV cancer, usually with bloody stools, abdominal pain, cramps, gas and overwhelming fatigue. Once the cancer had spread, there was little hope of controlling it. Today, much more is known about colon cancer risks, testing and treatment procedures.
There are many important risk factors for cancer of the colon that makes someone a good candidate for colon cancer screening. Age is one factor, as about 90% of people diagnosed with this cancer are over 50. People are also more at-risk if they have ever had colorectal cancer, polyps, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, diabetes, acromegaly (a growth hormone disorder) or radiation therapy as part of another cancer treatment. Some studies have shown that a greater risk exists for people who eat diets low in fiber and high in fat/calories, or diets high in red meat/processed meats. Obese individuals and smokers have an increased chance of developing and dying from this type of cancer too. As with most health conditions, genetics also play a role in many cases.
Approximately 5% of all colon cancer is caused by a genetic syndrome passed through the familial line. These syndromes include FAP (familial adenomatous polyposis) and Lynch syndrome (hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer). About 95% of the people diagnosed with either syndrome will develop colon polyps that lead to cancer. The good news is that both of these syndromes are detectable through genetic testing. The idea that someone without these syndromes will develop the cancer because an aunt, grandmother, sibling or parent has is still debated. Some say the family may have all been exposed to the same environmental conditions or unhealthy lifestyle.
The American Cancer Society has issued some guidelines to prevent colon cancer. Once a person reaches 50, they should receive an annual fecal occult blood test, stool DNA testing, a flexible sigmoidoscopy and a double-contrast barium enema every five years, a colonoscopy every ten years and a virtual colonoscopy screening every five years. Additionally, certain lifestyle precautions are wise. Eat lots of fruits, vegetables and whole grains; limit fat, specially saturated fat and red meat fat; take vitamins and minerals, especially B-6, calcium, folic acid and magnesium; limit alcohol consumption to no more than a drink a day for women or two drinks a day for men; quit smoking; get at least 30 minutes of exercise on most days; and take an aspirin a day.
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