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March Healthy Living Tips / Colorectal (Colon) Cancer Parish Nurses: Angela Poppe & Judy Sandin  Colorectal cancer is cancer of the colon or rectum. It is equally common in men and women. An estimated 150,000 people will be diagnosed in 2010, and an estimated 50,000 people will die from the disease. It is one of the most preventable of cancers, because it develops from polyps that can be removed before they become cancerous and YOU can reduce your risk with lifestyle changes.
Symptoms - Rectal bleeding or blood in or on the stool
- Change in bowel habits and/or stools that are narrower than usual
- Stomach discomfort (bloating, fullness or cramps)
- Diarrhea, constipation or feeling that the bowel does not empty completely
- Weight loss for no apparent reason
| | Who's at Risk? - Men and women age 50 and older
- People who use tobacco, are obese and are sedentary
- People with a personal or family history of colorectal cancer or benign (not cancerous) colorectal polyps
- People with a personal or family history of inflammatory bowel disease, such as long standing ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease
- People with a family history of inherited colorectal cancer
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 Risk Reduction and Early Detection
- Be physically active and exercise regularly.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Eat a high-fiber diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
- Consume calcium-rich foods like low-fat or skim milk.
- Limit red meat and avoid processed meats.
- Don’t drink alcohol excessively.
If you are at average risk for colorectal cancer, start having regular screening at age 50. If you are at greater risk, you may need to begin regular screening at an earlier age. The best time to get screened is before any symptoms appear.
Use this guide to help you discuss screening options with your health care professional. Consider one of the following tests that find pre-cancer and cancer:
Screening intervals:
- Colonoscopy Every 10 years
- Virtual colonoscopy Every 5 years
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy Every 5 years
- Double-contrast barium enema Every 5 years
Tests that mainly find cancer: - Fecal occult blood test (FOBT) Every year
- Fecal immunochemical test (FIT) Every year
- Stool DNA test (sDNA) Ask your health care professional
Treatment - Surgery is the most common treatment.
- Chemotherapy or radiation therapy is given before or after surgery, when the cancer has spread.
Information for this article was taken from the Prevent Cancer Foundation Fact Sheet. For more information on this organization, please visit their website by clicking here. In summary, to reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke from too much sodium, know your recommended limits for daily sodium intake. Choose foods like fresh fruits and vegetables. Read the nutrition label of the foods you purchase. Ask for foods with no or low salt at restaurants.
| | Parish Nurse Angela Poppe was a Public Health Nurse and is now a Nurse Planner for Continuing Education. Wellness, nutrition, prevention and education have always been her focus and she has lots of health resources to share. For resource questions please contact her at
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