Colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer diagnosed in North America and it affects both men and women equally. While breast cancer and lung cancer are frequent topics of conversation, most people are squeamish about colorectal cancer. That's unfortunate, because screening is readily available and colorectal cancer is very treatable if it's caught early enough.
There are even some relatively simple things you can do to minimize your risk of developing colorectal cancer.
Cancer is a disease where normal cells appear to grow out of control. When diagnosed, there is an overwhelming amount of information to understand. Start with basic cancer information common to all cancers, and then look for information specific to your cancer diagnosis. It is important to understand that not all cancers are the same.
There are often no symptoms associated with early colorectal cancer, but the risk of colorectal cancer increases with age. If you're over 50, you should be getting screened every year. If your doctor doesn't suggest screening, ask about it. Don't be shy. Although the cause of colorectal cancer is unclear, several risk factors have been identified, such as obesity.
If you are worried or have a family history of colon cancer, don't hesitate to go to your doctor and ask to be screened. You may feel embarrassed and uncomfortable, but it's important not to delay.