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816-836-2200
Kansas City's Premiere Digestive Health Specialists
Request An Appointment
816-836-2200
Kansas City's Premiere Digestive Health Specialists
Colon Cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Rectal cancer and colon cancer are found in the large intestine and anus.
Colon cancer is one of the most treatable and beatable cancers. Because of advanced technology and screening methods, it’s also one of the most detectable cancers. Colon cancer may be prevented with proper colon screenings.
The number one symptom of colon cancer is no symptom at all. Because most polyps are slow growing, they may go undetected for several years before producing any symptoms of disease. Some symptoms of colon cancer involve a change in stool habits like diarrhea and/or constipation, blood in the stool (although often blood is undetected), narrow stools, unexplained weight loss, anemia, abdominal pain and discomfort and feeling like the bowel isn’t completely emptying.
Colon cancer is found in the walls of the large intestine. Polyps are small growths that form within the colon. Although the exact cause of polyps is unknown, healthy eating, diet and exercise may reduce one’s risk of colon polyps; however, for some, colon polyps are hereditary and unavoidable.
If colon polyps are not detected and removed, the polyp may turn into colon cancer. To identify polyps, gastroenterologists perform a colonoscopy to take an in-depth look at the large intestine.
A colonoscopy is a test where a doctor examines the entire large intestine for signs of polyps or colon cancer. A colonoscopy is also used to evaluate patients with Crohn’s and colitis. During a colonoscopy, a patient is comfortably sedated while a doctor examines the bowel with a thin, lighted camera that zooms into the colon walls. If a physician identifies a polyp during colonoscopy, the polyp will be removed and biopsied. The patient is under anesthesia and will not be aware of the surroundings during a colonoscopy, nor experience any pain if a polyp is removed.
Colon cancer traditionally impacts those who are 50+, and we recommend beginning colon screenings at age 50. Because African Americans have a higher risk for colon cancer, they must be screened starting at 45.
Although colon cancer has traditionally appeared in patients age 50+, a growing number of younger adults are being diagnosed with colon cancer under age 50 each year. If you have a family history or symptoms of the disease, you need to be screened for colon cancer with a colonoscopy earlier than age 50.
