Colorectal Cancer in Women
We all know how it goes, the old mind set that if we don't talk about something, we won't have to deal with it!  Many women seem to think this is true of colorectal cancer as well, which is why many of them don't discuss it with their family, friends, or doctors, leaving them not knowing whether or not they are at risk for the disease and what preventative measures they can be taking to ensure that they will remain in good health.  What many women don't know however, is that an estimated 75,000 of them will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer this year and another 28,000 will lose their lives to the disease. 

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer among women in the United States, but you don’t hear much about it. Some people are embarrassed to talk about it. Worse, they don’t have regular screening exams that help detect the cancer in its early, more treatable stages.

Screening guidelines.
The American Cancer Society recommends that screenings begin for most women at age 50. The most simple screening test for colorectal cancer can be used in the privacy of your home. A fecal occult blood test helps doctors look for hidden (occult) blood in the stool. You take a kit home, obtain stool specimens and return the test to the doctor’s office or lab for analysis.  Women who are age 50 or older should have a fecal occult blood test every year.

Cancer screening guidelines also recommend that women have a flexible sigmoidoscopy and digital rectal exam every five years. These tests may be performed in your doctor’s office. Your doctor uses a flexible, lighted tube, a fiberoptic sigmoidoscope, to look inside the rectum and lower colon. A digital rectal exam involves your doctor inserted a gloved finger into the rectum to feel for abnormalities. 

Another test that can be used to detect colorectal cancer is a colonoscopy. This test, which is similar to a sigmoidoscopy, looks at the entire colon. Often the colonoscopy is done in the outpatient department of a hospital. Your doctor also may order a barium enema which uses contrast material (barium) for X-rays of the intestines.

Early detection is good news.
Nine out of 10 people whose colorectal cancer is found and treated at an early stage, before it has spread, live at least five years. This means that most people will still be living five years after diagnosis.

Steps in preventing colorectal cancer.
In addition to the good news about early detection, cancer specialists also report that we can take steps to prevent colorectal cancer. The risk of developing colorectal cancer appears to be higher in people who have diets high in fat, low in fruit and vegetables, and low in high-fiber foods like whole grains. By changing your diet to include more fruit, vegetables and whole grains while reducing the amount of fat you eat, you may be preventing the disease.

Symptoms of colorectal cancer.
Warning signs to report to your doctor include:

  • Any change in bowel habits
  • Diarrhea or constipation
  • Blood on or in the stool (either bright red or very dark in color)
  • Stools that are narrower than usual
  • General stomach discomfort (bloating, fullness, and/or cramps)
  • Frequent gas pains
  • A feeling that the bowel doesn’t completely empty
  • Weight loss with no known reason
  • Constant tiredness
  • Vomiting

For more information on colorectal cancer or cancer screenings, call 1-888-TENET-4U.