Colon cancer is one of the most deadly types of cancer, due primarily to the lack of obvious symptoms before the advanced stages. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's most recent statistics in 2006 indicate that screenings for colon cancer remain grossly underused. Despite availability and coverage by most insurances, less than 50 percent of Americans over the age of 50 underwent a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy exam in 2006. Shockingly, more than 60 percent of individuals who passed away from colon cancer in 2006 would have survived had they been screened early enough to adequately treat the cancer.
Symptoms
In many cases, individuals do not report having symptoms or the symptoms are representative of other conditions such as chronic colitis or Crohn's disease. MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia states that the most commonly misdiagnosed symptoms include unexplained weight loss or anemia, abdominal pain and tenderness, bloody or narrow stools, diarrhea, constipation or intestinal obstruction. Individuals exhibiting any of these symptoms should consult with a licensed health professional to obtain an opinion.
Screening
Physicians generally do not screen for colon cancer before the age of 50, as cases among younger individuals remains relatively rare. The National Cancer Institute recorded more than 100,000 new cases of colon cancer, and 51,000 deaths from combination colon/rectal cancers in the first nine months of 2010.
Family History
Family history and eating habits can increase colon cancer risks. Two distinctive syndromes should trigger earlier screening: hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer and familial adenomatous polyposis. MedlinePlus also lists the additional risks as African American or Eastern European descent, obesity, alcohol and cigarette smoking, a high fat/low fiber diet, high intake of red or processed meats, inflammatory bowel syndrome, a family or personal history of other cancers and are over the age of 60.
