Colorectal
cancer is cancer of the colon or rectum. It is as common in women as it is in
men. Several screening tests detect colorectal cancer early, when
it can be more easily and successfully treated.
Are you at risk?
COLORECTAL CANCER RISK FACTORS
- People age 50 and older
- People who smoke
- People who are overweight or obese, especially
those who carry fat around their waists
- People who aren’t physically active
- People who drink alcohol in excess, especially
men
- People who eat a lot of red meat (such as
beef, pork or lamb) or processed meat (such as bacon, sausage, hot dogs or
cold cuts)
- People with personal or family histories of
colorectal cancer or benign (not cancerous) colorectal polyps
- People with personal histories of inflammatory
bowel disease (such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease)
- People
with family histories of inherited colorectal cancer or inherited
colorectal problems
Although a leading cause of cancer death for both men and women,
if detected early, colorectal cancer can be more easily and successfully
treated.
COLORECTAL CANCER PREVENTION
- Be physically active for at least
30 minutes, at least five days a week.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Don’t smoke. If you do smoke,
quit.
- If you drink alcohol, have no
more than one drink a day if you’re a woman or two drinks a day if you’re
a man.
- Eat fruits, vegetables and whole
grains to help you get and stay healthy.
- Eat less red meat and cut out
processed meat.
COLORECTAL CANCER EARLY
PREVENTION
If
you’re at average risk for colorectal cancer, start getting screened at age 50.
If you’re at higher risk, you may need to start regular screening at an earlier
age and be screened more often. If you’re older than 75, ask your doctor if you
should continue to be screened. The best time to get screened is before you
have any symptoms.
