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CANCER
FACTS - Colorectal
| Signs
and Symptoms |
Rectal
bleeding, blood in the stool, a change in bowel habits. |
| Risk
Factors |
A
personal or family history of colorectal cancer or polyps, and inflammatory
bowel disease have been associated with increased colorectal cancer
risk. Other possible risk factors include physical inactivity, high-fat
and/or low-fiber diet, as well as inadequate intake of fruits and
vegetables. Recent studies have suggested that estrogen replacement
therapy and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs such as aspirin
may reduce colorectal cancer risk. |
| Early
Detection |
Beginning
at age 50, men and women should have one of the following: a fecal
occult blood test (FOBT) and flexible sigmoidoscopy (if normal,
repeat FOBT annually, and flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years),
or colonoscopy (if normal, repeat every 10 years), or double-contrast
barium enema (if normal, repeat every 5 to 10 years).
A digital rectal examination should be done at the same time as
sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, or double-contrast barium enema. These
tests offer the best opportunity to detect colorectal cancer at
an early stage when successful treatment is likely, and to prevent
some cancers by detection and removal of polyps.
People should begin colorectal cancer screening earlier and/or undergo
screening more often if they have a personal history of colorectal
cancer or adenomatous polyps, a strong family history of colorectal
cancer or polyps, a personal history of chronic inflammatory bowel
disease, or if they are a member of a family with hereditary colorectal
cancer syndromes. |
Source:
Cancer Facts & Figures 1998 - American Cancer Society
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