Colorectal Cancer

By Margaret Duffy-Chodl RN

Colorectal cancer is found in the colon or the rectum that develops slowly over a period of 10 to 15 years. The cancer usually develops from polyps in the inner lining of the colon or rectum. These polyps can either be benign or malignant. When the polyps are malignant, they invade the wall of the colon or rectum and grow into the blood or lymph vessels which metastasize to other parts of the body. Most colorectal cancers are adenocarcinomas which account for 95% of this type of cancer (ACS).
Diagnosis of colorectal cancer is usually made in the advanced stages of the disease. The diagnosis is made through a biopsy of the tissue in the colon or rectum. The major symptoms of this cancer are a change in bowel habits, rectal bleeding or black tarry stools, abdominal pain, fatigue, or weight loss. It is very important to have colorectal screenings after age 50 to detect this treatable disease. The screenings to detect this disease are flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, double-contrast barium enema, CT colonoscopy, or a fecal occult blood test (ACS).
The symptoms can be effectively addressed by having the recommended screenings starting at age 50 and knowing the risk factors. The one major risk factor is age, most colorectal cancers are diagnosis after the age of 50. Other risk factors are history of polyps, inflammatory bowel disease, and family history of colorectal cancer, inherited gene defects, and racial & ethnic background. African Americans and Jews of Eastern European descent have the highest rate of colorectal cancer (ACS).
The prognosis is based upon when the diagnosis is made. Since the symptoms are vague, diagnosis is normally made in advance stages of the disease. This is why screening for this disease is so important and knowing the risk factors (ACS).
The recommended prevention of this disease is to maintain a healthy weight, be physically active, eat a healthy diet with fruits and vegetables, and limit the amount of alcoholic beverages. This along with knowing risk factors and screenings for the disease after age 50 helps with early diagnosis (ACS).

References

American Cancer Society. (2011) Colorectal Cancer Early Detection. Retrieved from http://www.cancer.org/Cancer/ColonandRectum


Note: This blog post reflects the work of Margaret Duffy-Chodl RN with minor editing by Shirley Comer RN and was completed as a class assignment. The content of this blog is for informational purposes only. Before beginning or changing a treatment or lifestyle regime you should consult your primary health care provider.