Among cancers that affect both men and women, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of deaths from cancer in the United States. About 140,000 Americans are diagnosed with colorectal cancer every year and it claims more than 50,000 lives.
Colorectal cancer risks increase with age and over 90% of cases occur in people who are over the age of 50. Symptoms may include:
- Blood in or on the stool.
- Stomach pain, aches, or cramps that don’t go away.
- Losing weight and you don’t know why.
Cancer screening can really help save lives. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends these tests to screen for colorectal cancer:
- Colonoscopy (every 10 years).
- High-sensitivity fecal occult blood test, stool test, or fecal immunochemical test (every year).
- Sigmoidoscopy (every 5 years).
The Mayo Clinic recommends the following lifestyle changes to reduce your risk of getting colorectal cancer:
- Eat a variety of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. These contain vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants, which may play a role in cancer prevention.
- Drink alcohol in moderation. Men should have no more than 2 drinks per day and women should have only 1 drink per day.
- Stop smoking.
- Start an exercise program. You should get at least 30 minutes of exercise on most days of the week.
- Maintain a healthy weight by combining a healthy diet and daily exercise. If you need to lose weight, ask your doctor for advice on how to reach your goal.
