Many of the symptoms of colorectal cancer can also be caused that isn’t cancer, such as infection, hemorrhoids, irritable bowel syndrome, or inflammatory bowel disease.

In many cases people who have these symptoms do not have cancer.

When colorectal cancer does turn out to be the cause, symptom often appear only after the cancer has grown or spread. That’s why it’s best to be tested for colorectal cancer before ever having any symptoms. Colorectal cancer found early through screening (testing that’s done on people with no symptoms) might be easier to treat. Screening can even prevent some colorectal cancers from forming by finding and removing pre-cancerous growths called polyps.

The best way to prevent colon cancer is to avoid risky behaviors, like smoking, and to improve your diet. If you correct unhealthy lifestyle factors: bring your weight closer to a healthy weight, quit smoking, or get more exercise, you are also reducing your risk.

Diets high in vegetables, fruits and fibre have been shown to help prevent colon cancer. There is also evidence to suggest that calcium may have a protective effect.

Screening is crucial because colorectal cancer responds best to treatment if caught early.
Treatment is most effective for people with localized colorectal cancer. People who may be at higher risk for colorectal cancer should speak with their doctor to decide on the best screening schedule for them.

The colonoscopy is the primary screening method used for people at high risk of developing colon cancer. An endoscope, a flexible fibre optic tube, is inserted into the colon to look for bleeding, polyps, or tumors.

If any growths are found, the doctor will take a tissue sample (biopsy). Alternatively, a polyp may be completely removed or destroyed during the procedure. The procedure is not painful, though it can be a little uncomfortable.

Surgery is the treatment most likely to cure colon cancer, but it’s only used for people with stage I to III cancer. If you’ re diagnosed with stage III cancer, you will have to undergo radiation therapy or chemotherapy in addition to surgery. The same is sometimes true of stage II tumors.

Above all, get screened for polyps if you have risk factors.
People who have had polyps removed are at more that twice the average colon cancer risk for their age.

People who have them in, however, are 8 times the normal risk.

Sources: cancer.org, medbroadcast.com