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Colorectal Cancer Facts
- Preventable through regular screening.
- Highly curable – over 90% - if caught in its earliest stages.
- It equally affects men and women.
- Affects those primarily 50 and older, one of the fastest growing segments of our population.
- It is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States.
- More than 150,000 people are diagnosed with colorectal cancer each year.
- Increased risk to those with family history of the disease.
Who is at Risk?
Both men and women are at risk for colon cancer. This disease is most common among people aged 50 and older and the risk of occurrence increases with age. A personal or family history of colon cancer or colon polyps also increases the risk of developing colon cancer.
Other risk factors include:
- A personal or family history of inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease; and cancers such as ovarian, breast, and endometrial.
- People of African American and Hispanic descent are often diagnosed at a later stage of the disease.
- Use of tobacco products can also increase your risk of developing colon cancer.
While early colon cancer often may have no symptoms, sometimes symptoms do occur. Warning signs to look for include:
- Blood in or on the stool, a change in bowel habits, or stools that are narrower than usual.
- General stomach discomfort or frequent gas pains.
- Weight loss that occurs despite no change daily habits or diet.
If you suffer from any of these warning signs, please discuss them with your doctor immediately; only he or she can determine the source of these symptoms.