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Home News Raising Awareness During National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

Raising Awareness During National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

Published: Saturday, March 7, 2009

Colorectal cancer, or cancer of the colon or rectum, is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States. Physicians at The University of Tennessee Medical Center are providing valuable information about colorectal cancer during March, which is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.

“According to the American Cancer Society, 150,000 new cases of colorectal cancer are diagnosed each year and 50,000 people die from the disease,” said Dr. Keith Gray, a surgical oncologist at UT Medical Center’s Cancer Institute. “Despite the grim statistics, long-term survival can be reached in 90 percent of people when detected early. Colorectal cancer is even preventable through lifestyle modifications and screening colonoscopy.”

“The death rate associated with colorectal cancer has been declining over the past 15 years,” added Dr. John Stancher, a gastroenterologist at UT Medical Center. “We believe this is due, in large part, to more people getting their recommended screenings. Early detection is certainly critical. Through colorectal cancer screenings, we can find and remove polyps before they become cancerous.”

The UT Medical Center physicians urge those considered at-risk for developing colorectal cancer to follow the recommended screening guidelines.

At risks groups include 

• 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

 

UT Medical Center physicians recommend annual fecal occult blood tests for everyone beginning at the age of 50. 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 865.305.6970 or 1.877.UT.CARES.

“In addition to colorectal screenings, there are numerous preventative steps people can take to lower their risk,” said Dr. Tom Young, a gastroenterologist at UT Medical Center. “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.