Check Your Health: A colonoscopy test can save your life - KUTV 2News

(KUTV)- Colorectal cancer is cancer of the colon or rectum. It is the number two cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. Both men and women can get it. But, it is the most preventable cancer.

Overall, the lifetime risk of developing colorectal cancer is: about 1 in 22 (4.49%) for men and 1 in 24 (4.15%) for women. This risk is slightly lower in women than in men. A number of other factors can also affect your risk for developing colorectal cancer.

"We often talk about breast cancer in women and prostate cancer in men and we also hear a lot about lung cancer. Lung cancer is the number one cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Most people don't realize that colon cancer is actually number two cause of cancer deaths that's because both men and women have colons," said Dr. Christian Capener, a Gastroenterologist at Intermountain Riverton Hospital.

Being screened early for Colorectal cancer is very important because symptoms often appear only after the cancer has grown or spread.

Colorectal cancer that’s found early is usually easier to treat. A colonoscopy screening can even prevent some colorectal cancers by finding and removing pre-cancerous growths called polyps.

It allows a physician to see inside your colon. Pre-cancerous polyps can be removed at the same time if needed. It is the test most often covered by insurance. Other types of home screening tests are not as effective or may not be covered by insurance.

Generally, you should get a colonoscopy beginning at age 50. If you have a family history of colorectal cancer or polyps (pre-cancerous growths in the colon) then you should be screened earlier at either age 40 or 10 years younger than the age at which your family member had colorectal cancer. Talk to your doctor to find out when you should be screened.

"The unique thing about colon cancer is that most colon cancer starts as small polyps and the polyps take a very long time to grow, so we have an opportune time to go in and remove them and prevent colon cancer," said Capener.

Risk factors for colorectal cancer

• Being older is the number one risk factor
• Family history of colorectal cancer, polyps, other cancers, or gastrointestinal disease, such as irritable bowel syndrome increases your risk
• Having Type 2 Diabetes increases your risk

  "There are some dietary things you can do, some lifestyle things you can do to help prevent colon cancer, but the number one risk is age and time," said Capener.
  

5 ways to reduce your risk of colorectal cancer

1. Lose weight if you are overweight or obese

If you are overweight or obese your risk of developing and dying from colorectal cancer is higher, especially for men.

2. Be more physically active

If you're not physically active, you have a greater chance of developing colon cancer. Being more active can help lower your risk.

3. Eat less red meat and processed meats

A diet high in red meats (beef, pork, lamb, or liver) and processed meats (hot dogs and some luncheon meats) raises your colorectal cancer risk. Cooking meats at very high temperatures creates chemicals that might raise your cancer risk.

4. Quit smoking

People who have smoked tobacco for a long time are more likely than non-smokers to develop and die from colorectal cancer

5. Reduce alcohol use

Colorectal cancer has been linked to moderate to heavy alcohol use.

Warning signs for colorectal cancer

• A change in bowel habits, such as diarrhea, constipation, or narrowing of the stool, that lasts for more than a few days
• A feeling that you need to have a bowel movement that is not relieved by doing so
• Rectal bleeding
• Dark stools, or blood in the stool
• Cramping or abdominal (belly) pain
• Unintended weight loss
• Weakness and fatigue

To learn more about colon cancer, click here.

To learn more about colonoscopies, click here.

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