Definition: Cancer that is located in the large intestine (colon) or the rectum. Colorectal cancer may begin with the growth of polyps in the colon. Polyps that are removed, such as during a colonoscopy, do not pose a risk of cancer, but polyps that remain in the colon may grow and become cancerous.
Risk factors for the development of colon cancer include:
- Older than 50
- Cigarette smoking
- Family history of hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)
- High-fat diet
- Personal history of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- Personal or family history of colorectal cancer
Symptoms of colon cancer can include:
- Change in bowel habits
- Diarrhea, constipation, or feeling that the bowel does not empty completely
- Bright red or very dark blood in the stool
- Narrow stools
- Gas pains, bloating, fullness, and cramps
- Unexplained weight loss
- Chronic fatigue
- Vomiting
It's recommended that people who are at risk for colorectal cancer get screened on a regular basis. Screening options for those over the age of 50 include:
- Fecal occult blood test (FOBT) - Yearly
- Fecal immunochemical test (FIT) - Yearly
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy - Every 5 years
- Double-contrast barium enema - Every 5 years
- Virtual colonoscopy - Every 5 years
- Colonoscopy - Every 10 years
- Stool DNA test (sDNA) - The American Cancer Society has not yet specified a screening interval
Screening options and intervals for people who are at high risk of colon cancer may be different. If you are concerned about your risk of colon cancer and when and how you should be screened, speak to your physician.
Pronunciation: COH-luhn CAN-sir
Also Known As: colorectal cancer, bowel cancer
