What is Colorectal Cancer?

Did you know that...

  • Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in Canada and the United States. The disease surpasses both breast and prostate cancer in mortality.
  • Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in Canada and the United States.
  • In the U.S. and Canada more people die from colorectal cancer than they do from breast cancer and AIDs combined.

    • ...and yet is estimated that these levels could be reduced by 85% if people would follow proper screening guidance.

    The cells lining the colon or rectum can sometimes become abnormal and divide rapidly, forming benign (non-cancerous) tumours or growths called polyps. Although not all polyps will develop into colorectal cancer, colorectal cancer almost always develops from a benign polyp. Over a period of many years, a polyp’s cells may undergo a series of DNA mutations that cause them to become cancerous. These cancer cells can penetrate the wall of the colon or rectum where they can gain access to blood and lymph vessels and spread to other organs. That is why screening is so important: polyps can be removed and cancer can be avoided, or detected at an earlier/more treatable stage.

    Symptoms

    The symptoms of colorectal cancer are unspecific, meaning they can be caused by a number of different conditions. Often symptoms don’t appear until the later stages of the disease. The following symptoms MAY indicate colorectal cancer and should be evaluated by a doctor:

  • Prolonged diarrhea or constipation
  • Narrower-than-normal stools
  • Blood in stool
  • Loss of appetite, unexplained weight loss
  • Feeling that the bowel does not completely empty
  • Fatigue, anemia
  • Nausea, vomiting
  • Abdominal pain or discomfort

    • Facts

  • Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in Canada and the United States. The disease surpasses both breast and prostate cancer in mortality.
  • Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in Canada and the United States.
  • An estimated 21,500 Canadians and 148,810 Americans will be diagnosed with the disease this year, and approximately 8,900 and 49,960 will die from it, respectively.
  • One in 19 Americans will develop colorectal cancer during his/her lifetime.
  • One in 15 Canadians will develop colorectal cancer during his/her lifetime.
  • Colorectal cancer is over 90 per cent preventable, and curable when detected early through screening.
  • Men and women are affected almost equally by colorectal cancer.
  • Over 90 per cent of colorectal cancers are found in those aged 50 and over; this age group is consequently considered at average risk of developing the disease.
  • Screening for colorectal cancer is recommended beginning at age 50. Those at a higher risk of developing the colorectal cancer should speak to their doctor.
  • People at a higher risk of developing the disease include those who have: a family history of colorectal cancer, a personal history of colorectal cancer or polyps, inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis), a family history or diagnosis of hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC)
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