Reducing the risk for colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer is a highly treatable disease, experts say, and this is why routine screenings are recommended. If you’ve have been putting off scheduling a colonoscopy, now — March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month — is the perfect time to make the call.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, colorectal cancer (CRC) is the fourth most common cancer in adults. It starts out as cancerous polyps, or abnormal cell growths, that can grow and spread throughout the body.

Some CRCs cause noticeable symptoms in the body. The American Cancer Society (ACS) notes that some common symptoms include changes in normal bowel habits, cramping or stomach pain, blood in stool, feeling weak or tired, and unexplained weight loss. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important to call your doctor as soon as possible.

Colorectal cancer screenings can find polyps before they turn cancerous. These polyps can be removed, which prevents development of CRC. Furthermore, screenings that identify cancerous polyps typically catch them early, when treatment can work the best.

There are two different types of screening for CRC:  a colonoscopy, which looks at the colon with a camera, and stool-based tests that are typically done at home. Most people decide with their doctors which type of test is right for them.

Age is a factor when it comes to the need for screening. UB researcher Andrea T. Manyon, clinical professor and chair, Department of Family Medicine, Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, recommends colonoscopies every 10 years for anyone over the age of 45 through 75 who is not at high risk for developing CRC.

The ACS identifies several risk factors for developing colorectal cancer, including:

• Having a family history of CRC.
• Being overweight.
• Having Type 2 diabetes.
• Eating a diet high in red meat.
• Smoking tobacco products.
• Moderate to heavy alcohol use.
• Having inflammatory bowel disease.

One way to decrease the chances of developing CRC is to live a healthy lifestyle. Michele Poitras, manager of wellness and work life balance programs in Human Resources, highlights several ways to live healthier and decrease the risk of colorectal cancer:

• Eat a balanced diet. “Food is our fuel,” Poitras says. “Eat a diet rich in nutrients — healthy proteins, vegetables and fruit, and whole grains.”
• Stay physically active. “This doesn’t mean you have to join a gym or take up running,” Poitras says. “Go for a walk or find an activity you love. The best exercise program is the one you can stick with.”
• Don’t sacrifice sleep. “Sleep is restorative,” Poitras explains. “Getting a good night’s sleep sets you up for a better, more productive day.” 
• Schedule regular medical checkups. “This means not just your family physician, but also getting regular dental cleanings, vision screenings and any preventative screenings that are vital to your overall health,” Poitras says.

She adds that it is especially important to maintain a healthy lifestyle as we age. “Genetic factors definitely influence an individual’s health, but unhealthy lifestyle choices can compound these factors,” she says. “We can fight the impacts of aging on our bodies by actively working to make choices that lessen these impacts.

“Plus, mental and physical health are interconnected, so the better we take care of our physical health, the better our mental health will be.”