Colorectal Cancer is Preventable, Treatable,
Beatable!
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Signs & Symptoms of Colorectal Cancer:
- The MOST common symptom - NO symptom!
- Change in bowel habits, such as diarrhea, constipation, or narrowing of the stool, lasting for more than a few days.
- A feeling that you need to have a bowel movement that doesn’t go away after you have a bowel movement .
- Bleeding from the rectum or blood in stool.
- Cramping or gnawing stomach pain
- Decreased appetite.
- Weakness and fatigue.
If you have symptoms of rectal bleeding or have been diagnosed with a iron-deficiency anemia, you should talk to your doctor about a colonoscopy to look for the causes of those problems. |
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Colon Cancer Facts
 Colorectal Cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer.
Lucas County has one of the highest late-stage diagnosis rates for colon cancer in Ohio.
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in Lucas County.
The risk of colorectal cancer begins to increase after age forty and continues to increase as you get older.
Obesity is linked to an increased risk of colorectal cancer. A lifestyle that does not include regular exercise may also be linked to an increased risk of colorectal cancer.
Rectal bleeding or blood in the stool is NOT normal. If either is present seek immediate medical attention.
African-Americans are at increased risk for colon cancer, therefore the recommended age for screening is forty-five.
Colorectal cancer begins with a polyp and could take ten years to develop into cancer.
Early detection screenings detect pre-cancerous polyps and removes them. (See the Early Detection/Prevention page on this Web site.)
Anyone can get polyps.
Having a first-degree relative (mother, father, brother, sister) diagnosed with colorectal cancer puts you at an increased risk.
If someone in your family has been diagnosed, you should start “Early-Warning” screening at least 10 years before the age they were diagnosed.
Medicare covers colonoscopies.
For more information, call your American Cancer Society at
1-800-227-2345. |
