Don’t Wait — Schedule a Colorectal Cancer Screening
Minor issues may not seem like a big deal now, but they can turn into serious, life-threatening conditions later. Your body doesn’t always alert you when a small problem arises, so scheduling regular screenings and tests is the only way to catch treatable conditions before they spiral out of control.
Knowing for sure is always better than guessing — especially when it comes to colorectal cancer. This Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, learn about the causes and risk factors for colorectal cancer and how you can stop it before it even arises.
Statistics
Despite the mortality rate decreasing over the last several decades thanks to a rise in screenings, colorectal cancer remains the third leading cause of death in the United States, expected to claim 52,550 lives in 2023. Furthermore, an estimated 106,970 new cases of colon cancer will be diagnosed in 2023, while an additional 46,050 new cases of rectal cancer will be diagnosed.
Causes and prevention
Studies show a wide range of both preventable and non-preventable factors can heighten the risk for colorectal cancer. Some factors are unavoidable, such as age, family history of cancer or polyps, genetics, and racial or ethnic background, but others like weight, physical activity, diet, smoking, and drinking can be avoided with some simple lifestyle changes, including the following:
- Lower your weight.
- Exercise more often.
- Improve your diet with more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and fewer red meats.
- Reduce your alcohol intake.
- Quit smoking.
However, the most important action you can take to prevent colorectal cancer is scheduling a screening — i.e., a colonoscopy. Patients who are at least 45 years old should schedule a colonoscopy once every 10 years. This quick, painless procedure takes just a half-hour, during which patients are sedated and polyps can be detected — and even removed — by the doctor.
Routine colonoscopies are proven to be the most effective method of detecting colorectal polyps early and preventing them from becoming life-threatening complications. In fact, early detection can offer a five-year survival rate of 91%.