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Home News Physician Raises Awareness During National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

Physician Raises Awareness During National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

Published: Wednesday, March 12, 2008

An estimated 3,300 Tennesseans will be diagnosed with colon cancer in 2008 and 1,200 in Tennessee will die from the disease this year, according to the American Cancer Society.

Colorectal cancer, or cancer of the colon or rectum, is the third leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States with about 150,000 new cases of colorectal cancer being diagnosed annually. When detected early, the survival rate for colorectal cancer is about 90 percent.

“Colorectal cancer is one of the most preventable cancers, but early detection is the key,” said Dr. Keith Gray, an oncologist at The University of Tennessee Medical Center’s Cancer Institute. “The death rate associated with colorectal cancer has been declining over the past 15 years. We believe this is due, in large part, to more people being screened. Through colorectal screenings, we can find and remove polyps before they become cancerous.”

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Dr. Gray and UT Medical Center urge those considered at-risk for developing colorectal cancer to get their recommended screenings.

At risks groups include the following.

 

• Men and women age 50 and older
• Those with a family or personal history of colorectal cancer, colorectal polyps or inflammatory bowel disease
• The obese and physically inactive
• Smokers
• Heavy alcohol consumers

 

Upon reaching the age of 50, Dr. Gray recommends annual fecal occult blood tests for everyone. Additional recommended screenings include either a fiberoptic flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years or a colonoscopy every 10 years (or as recommended, based on the results of your first colonoscopy). A colonoscopy is the recommended screening tool to detect colon cancer. To schedule a screening at UT Medical Center, call Healthcare Coordination at 865.305.6970.

“In addition to colorectal screenings, there are numerous preventative steps people can take to lower their risk,” Dr. Gray said. “These include regular exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, eating a well-balanced diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains as well as avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.”

There are no symptoms during the early stages of colon cancer, but symptoms during later stages include:

 

• Change in bowel habits
• Diarrhea, constipation or feeling that the bowel does not completely empty
• Blood in the stool
• Stools that are narrower than usual
• Abdominal discomfort (frequent gas pains, bloating, fullness, and cramps)
• Unexplained weight loss
• Constant tiredness
• Nausea and vomiting

 

Most often, these symptoms are not due to cancer and can be caused by other health conditions. Anyone with these symptoms, however, should see a doctor so potential problems can be diagnosed and treated early.

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For more information, visit the Cancer Institute or Gastroenterology Services.