Jun 11, 2002 3 min read

Mary Ann Ealy of the American Cancer Society will discuss the risk factors and symptoms of colorectal cancer at a meeting, which will be held from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday at the Uniontown Church of Christ, 70 Roosevelt Drive. The public is invited to attend the meeting.

Colorectal cancer begins in the colon or rectum, according to information provided by the American Cancer Society.

The colon is a long, muscular tube that connects the small intestine to the rectum.

Cancer can begin in any part of the colon, but before cancer develops, changes usually occur in the organ’s lining.

One change is a tissue growth called a polyp, which is a benign growth that can become malignant over time.

Once detected, a polyp may be removed, preventing it from becoming cancerous.

While the exact cause of colorectal cancer is not known, colorectal cancer occurs more often among:

– People over age 50 (about 90 percent of colon cancer patients are over 50).

– People with a personal history of colon or rectal cancer or chronic inflammatory bowel disease.

– People with a strong family history (parents or siblings) of colon or rectal cancer or polyps, or any type of cancer.

– People who are physically inactive.

– People who eat high-fat, low-fiber diets.

– Tobacco users.

To reduce the risk of colorectal cancer, the American Cancer Society recommends that people follow screening guidelines, exercise regularly and eat foods high in fiber and low in fat, including fruits, vegetables and whole grains.

Colorectal cancer symptoms may not appear until the disease has advanced.

Open communication with your doctor and screening are important even if you do not have symptoms. If you have any of the following symptoms, the American Cancer Society recommends that you see your doctor immediately:

– A change in bowel habits for more than a few days.

– A feeling you need to have a bowel movement that doesn’t go away after you go.

– Bleeding from the rectum or blood in the stool.

– Cramping or gnawing stomach pains.

– Decreased appetite.

– Fatigue and weakness.

– Jaundice.

While these symptoms may not necessarily mean you have colon cancer, the American Cancer Society said it is better to be safe and talk with your doctor right away.

Screening tests for colorectal cancer include:

– Fecal Occult Blood Test, a stool sample, generally taken at home, is then returned to the doctor’s office for testing for blood.

– Sigmoidoscopy, a slender, lighted tube is placed in the rectum, allowing the doctor to look in both the rectum and part of the colon for cancer or polyps.

– Barium Enema, which may also be called a double-contrast barium enema.

Barium sulfate, a chalky substance given to the patient, partially fills the colon and then air is added to expand it. After that, X-ray films are taken.

– Colonoscopy, a test where patients are placed under sedation while a longer, flexible tube linked to a video display is placed through the rectum into the colon. The doctor can look at the picture to find cancer or polyps.

If a polyp is found, the doctor may remove it and then send it to a lab for testing.

Starting at age 50, both men and women at average risk should have:

– Yearly fecal occult blood tests and flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years.

– Double-contrast barium enema every five years.

– Colonoscopy every 10 years.

For more information, contact the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit the Web site at www.cancer.org.