Caring For Your Colon Could Save Your Life
Learn the signs and symptoms of colorectal cancer.
The easiest way to care for your colon is to check your stool colors and learn what they mean. Changes in the color and shape of your stool are strong indicators about your colon health. What is considered normal depends on what is normal for you. The frequency of bowel movements is different for everyone. Understanding your body’s bowel habits will help you identify changes right away that can reduce your risk of developing cancer.
DC 37 partners with Memorial Sloan Kettering to offer MSK Direct, a program that provides guided access to expert clinical care as well as practical and emotional support.
Colorectal Cancer: Trust Your Gut
Colorectal cancer affects both men and women. In the early stages of colorectal cancer, there may be no symptoms. Being proactive is important in protecting yourself and detecting cancer early, when it’s more treatable. Everyone’s body is different, so trust your instincts and don’t be afraid to talk to your doctor if you notice any of the following symptoms:
Symptoms of Colorectal Cancer
While there are often no symptoms in early stages, there are signs you should not ignore:
- rectal bleeding or blood in the stool
- changes in your bowel habits - diarrhea, constipation, or narrow stool - lasting more than a few days
- a persistent urge to use the bathroom
- unexplained abdominal pain lasting more than a few days
- unintended weight loss
- unexplained fatigue
- anemia
These symptoms usually do not mean you have colorectal cancer, but you should contact your doctor if any of these problems are severe or last longer than you think they should.
What Is Colon Cancer?
Colon cancer forms inside the large intestine, which is roughly five and a half feet long. The first five feet of the large intestine is called the colon. The rectum makes up the last six inches of the large intestine. Cancers found in the two organs are grouped together as colorectal cancer.
Colorectal cancer can develop slowly over several years. It typically starts as a small abnormal growth on the inner lining of the colon. This is called a polyp. Some polyps can eventually grow into cancer.
Colon cancer is usually contained within the colon. But if left untreated, it can spread to other organs, most often the liver and lungs.
A small percentage of colon cancer is due to genetic causes that may be passed from parents to children.
Illustration of large intestine or colon with polyps.
Colorectal cancer screening
At MSK, a colonoscopy is the preferred colon cancer screening method. It is the only test that can examine polyps and remove them. This means that a colonoscopy can both find and prevent colon cancer.
Your care team may recommend other screening tests depending on your personal circumstances. Click here to learn more about other screening methods.
What is a colonoscopy?
During a colonoscopy, a thin, flexible tube with a light and a video camera on its tip is placed in your colon so your doctor can search for polyps. A tool at the end of the scope can remove polyps if they are found. It’s the most effective way to find and remove them.
A colonoscopy is the only screening method that not only detects cancer at its earliest stages but can also prevent it.
When should you be screened?
Age 45 or Over
- Everyone should be screened via colonoscopy.
Under Age 45
If you have any of the following, you should talk to your doctor about when to get screened:
- symptoms for colorectal cancer
- a family history of colorectal cancer or precancerous polyps
- a personal history of inflammatory bowel disease, such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s colitis
- inherited disorders and other risk factors
What to expect during a colonoscopy
- Your care team will prescribe a clear-liquid diet, a liquid bowel prep, and laxatives to clear out your bowel during the 24 hours before the test. It is very important that your colon is empty for the colonoscopy.
- You will be sedated during the exam and monitored throughout and after the colonoscopy until you are fully awake.
- You must have a responsible care partner take you home after the procedure.
- Ask your doctor after the colonoscopy about how often you should be screened.
Although preparation can be inconvenient, a colonoscopy enables your doctor to detect potentially precancerous signs, such as fleshy growths called polyps, and remove them.
If your screening is not normal
If there is suspicion that you may have cancer based on your test results, one of our specialists will conduct a biopsy. In this test, a doctor removes a small piece of tissue with a special instrument. One of our expert pathologists (doctors who specialize in diagnosing disease) examines the tissue sample under a microscope.
Your care team may recommend CT and MRI scans to determine the stage of the cancer and to see if it has spread to other organs.
Colorectal cancer diagnosis
If you have been diagnosed with colorectal cancer, you may be facing a lot of difficult questions and feel overwhelmed. We want to help you regain control of your life with compassionate, personalized care from our team of experts. Your care team will include doctors, nurses, and other experts whose only focus is colon cancer.
MSK specialists from all areas of colon cancer care will tailor a plan specifically for you. Our areas of expertise include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, rehabilitation, follow-up care after treatment, and quality-of-life issues. Having all of MSKs experts work together helps us ensure that we choose the best combination of therapies to treat the cancer and give you the best possible outcome.
Take this 5-minute health survey to get personalized screening recommendations and advice on how to reduce your risk for cancer.
How This MSK Center Takes Care of Younger Patients With Colorectal and Gastrointestinal Cancers
Age 45 is not the magic number for screening
In recent years, there has been a troubling rise in colon cancer among people as young as their 20s and 30s who do not have a family history of the disease or typical risk factors.
The recommended age to begin colon cancer screening is now 45 years old. Talk with your primary care provider about the right schedule for you.
MSK’s Center for Young Onset Colorectal Cancer is the first clinic of its kind in the world dedicated solely to the specific needs of people under 45 who have colorectal cancer. MSK doctors, nurses, and specialists have unparalleled expertise in surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, rehabilitation, and quality-of-life issues. We will work with you to determine the optimal care plan to give you the best outcome possible.
Discuss with your doctor if a colonoscopy screening earlier than age 45 is right for you.
What is my risk for colorectal cancer?
People with an increased risk of colorectal cancer may benefit from earlier, more frequent screenings. If you have an above average risk, we recommend you talk to your doctor for personalized recommendations. Some risk factors that increase your chance of developing colorectal cancer are lifestyle habits you can change.
Follow these healthy hints:
- Eat a variety of fruits and vegetables that are high in fiber, such as raspberries, artichokes, green peas, and broccoli.
- Include other high-fiber foods that are good for gut bacteria, such as chickpeas, lentils, and beans (such as kidney, pinto, and white beans).
- Choose whole grains.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Eat fewer red, processed, or charred meats that are high in saturated fats.
- Limit alcohol and products with added sugar.
- Avoid using tobacco products.
- Exercise to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
Other risk factors cannot be controlled, such as age, family history, and genetic mutations. If you have a family history of colorectal cancer, you may be eligible for genetic testing and counseling. Through genetic testing and counseling, cancer risk and medical management recommendations could be discussed.
A healthy variety of fruits, vegetables, grains, and other high-fiber foods.
