Colorectal Cancer Preventa ble Beata ble Treata ble

What is Colorectal Cancer? Colorectal cancer occurs in the colon or rectum. The colon is the large intestine or large bowel. The rectum is the passageway that connects the colon to the anus.

Why The Concern? Colorectal cancer is the third most diagnosed cancer for men and women in North Dakota. Each year, about 400 new colorectal cancer cases are diagnosed in North Dakota. Each year, about 140 North Dakotans die from the disease. BUT THIS DOESN’T HAVE TO BE!

What Are The Symptoms? It is very common for people with colorectal cancer or pre-cancer to experience no symptoms at all. This means that someone could have polyps or colorectal cancer and not know it. However, some people do have symptoms, which may include: Blood in stool (bowel movement). Pain, aches or cramps in your stomach. A change in bowel habits, such as having stools that are narrower than usual. Losing weight and you don’t know why.

Who is at Risk? Colorectal cancer is most often found in people 50 and older. The risk of getting colorectal cancer increases with age.

How Do I Reduce My Risk? Make healthy food choices. Be physically active. Maintain a healthy weight. Avoid smoking.

Screening Is Key! If you’re 50 and older or younger than 50 with a family history of colorectal cancer, getting a screening test for colorectal cancer could save your life. Here’s how: Prevention - By finding polyps in the colon and removing them before they become cancerous. Early detection - Finding cancer early when treatment works best.

Screening Tests Take Home Stool Test. –Fecal Occult Blood Test or Fecal Immunoassay Test (FOBT/FIT) Flexible Sigmoidoscopy. Colonoscopy.

Who Should Get Screened? EVERYONE 50 and older. Men and women All races and ethnicities People younger than 50 with a family history of colorectal cancer or colorectal polyps.

The best screening test is the one that gets done! Talk with your health care provider about what screening options are best for you. If you have health insurance, check to see what colorectal cancer screening tests are covered. The Best Screening?

Information obtained from CDC – Screen for Life, American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute

“The earlier you can detect cancer, the better you are. I have to remember where I was and where I am now. I’m a survivor, and I always have to be thankful for that.” Keith Peltier with wife Cathy, West Fargo, N.D. Husband and Father Owner of Proceeds, Inc. Colorectal Cancer Survivor

How Colorectal Cancer Develops Normal Colon PolypColon Cancer Graphic courtesy of Dr. David Perdue

Stages of Colon Cancer