Tag Archives: colorectal cancer

MPCP - A man speaking to his doctor about colorectal cancer

Know Your Gut: Colorectal Cancer Awareness and Early Detection

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers in the U.S., yet it’s also one of the most preventable. With early detection and lifestyle changes, you can dramatically lower your risk. Colorectal cancer is often diagnosed at advanced stages when treatment options are limited, so, the most important step you can take is to stay on top of your screenings and reduce your risk factors.

Here’s what you need to know to protect your gut health and take charge of your future.

What Is Colorectal Cancer and Who’s at Risk?

Colorectal cancer begins in the colon or rectum and often starts as small growths called polyps. Over time, some of those polyps can turn into cancer.

Who should start screening?

  • Everyone should begin regular colorectal cancer screenings at age 45.
  • Individuals with a family or personal history of colorectal cancer, genetic conditions (like Lynch syndrome), or inflammatory bowel disease may need to start screening earlier.

What are the most common risk factors?

  • Age: Most cases occur in adults over 45.
  • Family history: A family history of colorectal cancer or polyps can increase your risk.
  • Personal history: Women with uterine polyps can have a higher risk for colorectal polyps. 
  • Genetic conditions: Conditions like Lynch syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) raise the risk significantly.
  • Inflammatory bowel disease: Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis increases the likelihood of developing colorectal cancer.
  • Type 2 diabetes: People with type 2 diabetes face a higher risk, even after accounting for shared factors like weight or inactivity.

If any of these apply to you, talk to your provider about starting screenings earlier or more frequently.

Change What You Can: Lifestyle Risk Factors

More than half of colorectal cancer cases are linked to lifestyle factors that you can control. By making healthy changes, you can lower your risk factors for colorectal cancer:

  • Achieve and maintain a healthy weight: Being overweight or obese increases your risk, especially for men. Losing even a small amount of weight can help.
  • Eat a healthier diet: Limit red and processed meats, such as hot dogs and bacon, and focus on a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Cutting back on sugary drinks can also make a difference.
  • Stay active: Regular physical activity can significantly reduce your risk of colorectal cancer and improve overall health.
  • Quit smoking: Smoking isn’t just linked to lung cancer; it’s also a major risk factor for colorectal cancer. Quitting now can lower your risk over time.
  • Limit alcohol intake: Heavy drinking is associated with higher colorectal cancer risk. It’s best to avoid alcohol, but if you drink, limit yourself to no more than one drink per day for women or two for men.

Talk to Your Provider About Your Risk Factors

Are you over 45? Do you know your personal risk factors? The best time to take action is now. Talk to your MPCP provider to discuss when you should start screenings and how you can live healthier and lower your colorectal cancer risk.

Colorectal Cancer is Common But Can Be Prevented

A Q&A with Dr. Ariel Warden-Jarrett

Q: What is colorectal cancer?

A: Colorectal cancer, or colon cancer, occurs in the colon or rectum. The colon is the large intestine or large bowel. The rectum is the passageway that connects the colon to the anus. Most colon cancers develop first as polyps, which are abnormal growths that may later become cancerous.

Q: How common is colorectal cancer?

A: It is the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women in the U.S. and is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths. It is expected to cause about 49,700 deaths this year.

Q: Who is at risk for colorectal cancer?

A: People of different ages, genders and races can get colorectal cancer. However, the Mayo Clinic lists several factors that may put you at higher risk:

  • Age: Most people diagnosed with colorectal cancer are older than 50.
  • Race: African-Americans have a greater risk than people of other races.
  • Family history: You’re more likely to develop the cancer if you have a parent, sibling or child with the disease.
  • Diet: People who eat diets low in fiber and high in fat and calories are at increased risk for colorectal cancer.
  • Sedentary lifestyle: If you’re inactive and don’t exercise, you’re more likely to develop the cancer.
  • Obesity: People who are obese are at increased risk. They are also more likely to die of the cancer.
  • Bad habits: People who smoke cigarettes or drink heavily may increase their risk.

Q: What can I do to help prevent colorectal cancer?

A: Since lifestyle is linked to colorectal cancer, improving your diet and getting more exercise can help reduce your risk. Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and limit your intake of red meat and alcohol. And since obesity may increase your risk, it’s important to eat a diet that allows you to achieve a healthy body weight. Also, studies suggest that regular physical activity reduces the risk of colorectal cancer.

The good news is, when colorectal cancer is discovered early, it is highly treatable. The best way to do that is with a colonoscopy, a simple screening procedure that examines the inside of the colon and rectum, and removes polyps which may become cancerous. It is recommended you have a colonoscopy every 10 years starting at age 50 – at 45 for African-Americans ─ or every five years if you have a family history of colorectal cancer. Learn more about colonoscopies here.
If you’re under 50, make lifestyle changes now to reduce your risk. If you’re 50 or older, ask your doctor how to arrange a colonoscopy or any questions you have about colorectal cancer.

 

Ariel Warden-Jarrett, M.D.Dr. Ariel Warden-Jarrett is an MPCP partner and sees patients in the Bowie office. She received her medical degree from George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences and completed her residency program in Family Medicine at Howard University Hospital. She is certified by the American Board of Family Medicine.