Understanding Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancers are one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in the United States, affecting nearly 150,000 men and women each year, according to the American Cancer Society. March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, giving you the perfect opportunity to learn about this disease and ways to prevent it.

What is Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer is a term used to describe any type of cancer that starts in the colon or rectum. Colon cancer and rectum cancer are often grouped and called colorectal cancer because they have a lot in common.

The large intestine, or large bowel, is made up of the rectum and the colon. The colon's purpose is to soak up water and salt from food after passing through the small intestine. It then moves the food to the rectum, where it's stored until it's released from the body.

Colorectal cancer develops when a precancerous growth called a polyp forms on the colon or the rectum. Over time, depending on the type of polyp, it can turn into cancer and spread throughout the body through blood and lymph vessels. While colorectal cancer grows from polyps, not all polyps turn into cancer. They are more likely to be cancerous if they are larger than 1 cm or more than three. Symptoms of colorectal cancer include a change in bowel habits, blood in the stool, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain that won't go away, or unexplained weight loss.

Treating Colorectal Cancer

If you've been diagnosed with colorectal cancer, your doctor will present different treatment options depending on the cancer stage and whether cancer has spread. Usually, one of the first steps to colorectal cancer treatment is to remove the polyps through surgery. For early stages, removal surgery is often enough to stop the spread of cancer. However, if cancer has spread, chemotherapy may be needed to kill the cancer cells.

If you do end up having surgery to remove the polyps, you may experience side effects such a minor pain and discomfort. After surgery, you may experience changes in your bowel function. If this happens, your doctor may suggest not eating solid foods until your bathroom habits are back to normal.

Preventing Colorectal Cancer

While colorectal cancer is most common in those aged 50 and older and those with a family history of colorectal polyps, it's also linked to an unhealthy diet, obesity, and limited physical activity. It’s also common among those who smoke or have excessive alcohol use. Additional risk factors include people with type 2 diabetes or inflammatory bowel disease.

Lifestyle changes to improve your activity level, weight and diet are the best things you can do to reduce your risk of developing colorectal cancer. Reduce the number of red meats and processed foods you eat and find ways to keep yourself physically activity every day, such as long walks or biking. It's also essential to regularly screen for colon and rectum cancer once you turn 50, especially since the early stages of colorectal cancer may not show signs or symptoms. Like many cancers, if colorectal cancer is found early, it's much easier to treat and manage symptoms.

How Visiting Angels Can Help

If you or an aging loved one lives with colorectal cancer and needs assistance with daily living during or after surgery. In that case, the team of compassionate caregivers at Visiting Angels Gadsden is happy to help. Our at-home care services include transportation to and from doctor's appointments, light housekeeping, meal preparation, personal grooming, and more. Our Gadsden office serves those in Blount, Marshall, and Etowah counties. If you'd like to learn more about our services, you can schedule a free consultation online or give us a call at 256.507.0083.