AS WE APPROACH
Colon cancer is highly preventable and can often be cured if it's detected early.
Colon and rectal cancers begin in the digestive, or gastrointestinal, system. Risk factors for colon cancer include:
Personal or family history of colon cancer, polyps or inflammatory bowel disease.
Prior endometrial, ovarian or breast cancer.
Eating a high-fat, low-fiber diet.
Smoking, obesity, sedentary lifestyle and excessive alcohol consumption.
There is some evidence that diet is a factor in some cancers. However, it is difficult to measure the real impact of diet in preventing cancer. Still, it makes sense to eat a well-balanced and nutritious diet.
Colon cancer and many other cancers can be traced to genes that are passed down through families. Others result from some random change in a person's genes or cells. Some cancers evolve from a combination of these factors, but most causes have not yet been determined.
Signs and symptoms of colon cancer include rectal bleeding, blood in the stool and changes in bowel habits (such as the shape, color and frequency of the stool).
Should symptoms occur, a colonoscopy (viewing the entire colon with a flexible fiber-optic scope) or a barium enema may be performed.
If polyps or suspicious lesions are seen, they may be totally removed if they are small enough, or a piece of the polyp may be removed for examination. This tissue is sent to a laboratory for evaluation and diagnosis by a specially trained pathologist.
If a cancer is found, surgery, chemotherapy or radiation therapy may be performed. This is usually coordinated with an oncologist, a physician who specializes in cancer treatment.
For all those over age 50, and for those who are younger but have risk factors as described above, it is recommended to have:
An annual stool test for hidden blood.
A sigmoidoscopy (viewing the lower colon with a flexible fiber-optic scope) every five years.
A barium enema every five to 10 years.
A colonoscopy every 10 years.
Colon cancer can be found early if you report any symptoms right away to your doctor. But being screened before symptoms occur is ideal.
Participating in screening programs may mean that a potentially cancerous lesion can be discovered years before it creates any symptoms. Visit your doctor regularly, and follow his or her recommendations for prevention and routine cancer detection.
The Colossal ColonTo get an up-close look at colon cancer and other diseases of the colon, cruise the Colossal Colon at Mary Washington Hospital March 7-11. The Colossal Colon is a 40-foot-long, 4-foot tall replica of a human colon.
Kids and adults are invited to crawl through the Colossal Colon, which displays colon diseases such as Crohn's, irritable bowel syndrome, diverticulosis and cancer. Brief educational seminars on colon health will accompany the Colossal Colon in the hospital atrium.
The event is free and open to the public and runs from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. No appointment or registration is required.
For more information on the Colossal Colon or to schedule large groups, call MediCorp Health Link at 540/741-1404 or visit colossalcolon .com.
DR. JODY CRANE is an emergency-room physician at Mary Washington Hospital. SARA PHILLIPPE is a pediatric nurse and administrative director for the Nursing Center of Excellence at Mary Washington Hospital. They welcome reader comments and questions. Write to them at The Free Lance-Star, 616 Amelia St., Fredericksburg, Va., 22401 or by e-mail at
Email: newsroom@freelancestar.com