Education
Colorectal Cancer and Screening
What is Colorectal Cancer?
Colorectal cancer, (cancer in the colon and or rectum) develops first as polyps, which are abnormal growths inside the colon or rectum that may become cancerous if they are not removed.
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Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the US, and the second leading cause of cancer death. Colorectal Cancer is treatable when it's discovered early.
The American Cancer society recommended that adults without family history should begin screening at age 45. If you have a family history of colorectal cancer or polyps, get screened at age 40 or 10 years before the age of the youngest case in your immediate family (mother, father, sister, brother).
Screening
The American Cancer society recommended that adults without family history should begin screening at age 45. If you have a family
history of colorectal cancer or polyps, get screened at age 40 or 10 years before the age of the youngest case in your immediate
family (mother, father, sister, brother)
Symptoms
Change in your bowel habits, constant diarrhea and or constiaton, a change in the consistency of your stool or more narrow stools than usual.
Do you have persistent abdominal discomfort? cramps, gas, or pain and or feeling full, bloated, or a feeling like your bowel is not completely empty. Nausea and or vomitting can also be a symptom.
Do you have rectal bleeding? Is there blood in your stool? The blood can be bright red, or the stool may be black and tarry or brick red.
Do you feel weak or fatigued? This may be accompanied by anemia or a low red blood cell count.
Do you have unexplained weight loss? If you're losing weight for no reason, nausea or vomiting, then it could be symptoms of colorectal cancer.
Click here to take a short quiz for a personalized screening: