Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal Cancer is the second largest cause of cancer death in the United States.  Screening is the best way to find polyps before they become cancerous.

If you experience any of the symptoms for more than a few days, discuss them with your doctor to determine the cause, and tell your doctor you want to be screened for Colorectal Cancer.

Screening for
Colorectal Cancer

  • Fecal occult blood test
  • Flexible sigmoidoscopy
  • Double contrast barium enema
  • Colonoscopy

For more information you may also visit the Colon Cancer Alliance web site.


Colon Cancer can be easily cured if caught early. 
Please stop the cycle of death. 
Get checked!
 

Reasons to be Checked for
Colorectal Cancer

  • If you have a family history of Colorectal Cancer or a history of colorectal polyps, you should be checked 10  years before that family member was diagnosed.  If your family member was diagnosed with terminal Colorectal Cancer, you should be checked even earlier.
  • If you are experiencing the symptoms for Colorectal Cancer.
  • If you are 50 years old.

Symptoms of
Colorectal Cancer

  • It is common to have no symptoms and/or to ignore the warning signs.
  • A change in bowel habits
  • Diarrhea, constipation, vomiting
  • Narrower stools than usual
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Constant tiredness
  • Blood in stool or tar-like stool.
  • Feeling that the bowel does not empty completely
  • Abdominal discomfort
    • Gas
    • Bloating
    • Fullness
    • Cramps
  • Unexplained anemia

Personal Diary: Rhonda Williams

On Friday, July 13, 2001, I was immediately admitted to the hospital for anemia when my blood tests had shown a B12 and Iron deficiency that was drastic enough to begin causing heart or stroke problems.  I was losing blood and need several transfusions.  Three days later, I was diagnosed at age 30 with colon cancer just a few months after my husband's grandfather, Wilson G. Britt, was diagnosed with the same disease at age 74. I have now recovered from my surgery, which was prolonged by an infection in the wound. I have also completed my rounds of chemotherapy. I am currently cancer-free, but I will have to get regular checks-ups throughout my life to stay cancer-free.

Wilson was not as fortunate as I, and he passed away of terminal colon cancer on October 13, 2001.

Affected greatly by the suddenness of the symptoms we both produced, I began to research this. I discovered that several of my ancestors had died of colon cancer. I began to warn my entire family, including my younger cousins, that they should get checked.

In January, 2002, I heard about two courageous young women named Molly McMaster, from New York, and Amanda Sherwood Roberts, from Little Rock. In 2000, Molly started Rolling To Recovery and raised more than $60,000 for colorectal cancer research.  Molly was diagnosed in 1999 at age 23, and her surgery and treatments successfully eradicated the disease. Amanda, too, was diagnosed in 1999. Unfortunately, Amanda lost her battle with cancer at age 29.

Colorectal cancer is a tragic disease with most symptoms virtually undetectable except to trained physicians. I want to urge everyone to be aware of this dreadful, heart-breaking, and fatal disease.

Statistics

These statistics for the years 1992 to 1996 were compiled using the U. S. Census, the Arkansas State Data Center at UALR, and SEER data from the Department of Health and are believed by me to be accurate.

In the U.S., approximately 1453 people between the ages of 35 to 39 were diagnosed with colorectal cancer. In Arkansas, approximately 13 people in this age group were diagnosed. Nation-wide, approximately 30 percent of those diagnosed died of the disease.

In the U.S., approximately 697 people between the ages of 30 to 34 were diagnosed with colorectal cancer. In Arkansas, approximately 6 people in this age group were diagnosed. Nation-wide, approximately 25 percent of those diagnosed died of the disease.

In the U.S., approximately 329 people between the ages of 25 to 29 were diagnosed with colorectal cancer. In Arkansas, approximately 3 people in this age group were diagnosed. Nation-wide, approximately 26 percent of those diagnosed died of the disease.

In the U.S., approximately 114 people between the ages of 20 to 24 were diagnosed with colorectal cancer. In Arkansas, approximately 1 person in this age group was diagnosed. Nation-wide, approximately 36 percent of those diagnosed died of the disease.

As you can see, people who were diagnosed between the ages of 20 to 24 were more likely to have an advanced stage of the disease. This could be caused by the virtually undetectable symptoms that allowed the victims' cancer to go unnoticed for a large amount of time. These numbers suggest that an early screening would be more beneficial to everyone involved.


 


Please read the Medical Disclaimer, as your use of the information
contained here indicates your acceptance of the Disclaimer.

© 2004 Rhonda Williams, 501.247.5868.