What you need to know about colon cancer
- You feel fine and try to take care of your health. Great! But you’re still at risk for colon cancer (sometimes called cancer of the large bowel), and you should get tested regularly if you’re 50 or older.
- Colon cancer is the second leading cancer killer in America, but the great news is that colon testing can save your life, and even prevent colon cancer.
- Colon cancer is most common in men and women over 50.
- Colon cancer almost always starts with a polyp- a small growth inside the colon or rectum that may turn into cancer. Testing can find and remove polyps before cancer develops, or find cancer early when it can be cured.
- African Americans and Ashkenazi Jews develop colon cancer more often.
- Some people at higher risk for colon cancer need to start testing earlier than age 50 and have the tests done more often. Talk with your doctor if:
- You have had polyps, colon cancer, or inflammatory bowel disease, or if a close relative has had colon cancer or polyps
- A close relative has had other cancers (breast, ovarian, or uterine) since this may raise your risk of colon cancer
- Early colon cancer often has no symptoms, so it’s important to get tested even if you have no symptoms at all. But later symptoms may include rectal bleeding, stomach cramps, weight loss, a change in bowel habits, or just feel tired. If you have any of the above symptoms, see your doctor. Treatment is very effective when colon cancer is found early.
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