Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the 4th most diagnosed and 2nd deadliest cancer in Canada, affecting both men and women alike.
While the disease has been garnering a lot of attention from different celebrities over the past few years, few truly know what it is and just how common it is. In Canada, over 25 000 people are expected to be diagnosed this year with 50% of diagnoses affecting working age individuals. When caught in its early stages, CRC is 90% treatable. However, due to late diagnosis of the disease more than 50 % of cases are detected at advanced stages when cancer is harder to treat and cure, thus highlighting the importance of awareness and participating in early detection (screening).
Colorectal cancer includes two types of cancers: cancer of the colon (large intestine or bowel) and cancer of the rectum (the end portion of the large intestine), also known as rectal cancer. Generally, CRC spreads slowly and can stay in the colon or rectum for months or years. If left untreated it can spread to other parts of the body. Early-stage disease can present very minor symptoms or none at all. This underlines the importance of keeping up to date with screening which can be completed through a simple home-based fecal immunochemical test (FIT), detecting tiny traces of blood in the stool.
People with a family history, associated syndromes and/or experiencing symptoms should speak to their healthcare provider to discuss screening options as they are at an increased risk. Common symptoms of colorectal cancer can all too easily be passed off as less potentially fatal diagnoses (ie: hemorrhoids, IBD, stress); reinforcing the importance of participating in regular screening even when you are symptom-free. For more information on screening please click here.
Common symptoms include:
- unexplained weight loss
- loss of appetite
- persistent fatigue/weakness
- gas/bloating
- blood in stool or rectal bleeding
- any change in bowel movements (diarrhea/constipation and or change in size/shape)
- anemia
- The urge to have a bowel movement but nothing passes
While CRC is typically diagnosed in individuals over 50, diagnoses are increasing at an alarming rate in individuals under this age. Increasing awareness of the disease and the importance of screening is an essential way of arming individuals with the knowledge to advocated for themselves and make informed decisions about their health, particularly for younger adults born after 1980 who are reported to be 2 to 2.5 times more likely to be diagnoses with CRC before 50 years old.
Awareness is an important part of our mission here at Colorectal Cancer Canada and has been so since our inception in 1998. We are a patient led organization and a trusted source of information and instrumental in helping individuals navigate their cancer journey – supporting patients and their loved ones as well as advocating on their behalf.
Visit www.colorectalcancercanada.com to learn more about the disease or contact our Patient Support Specialists for information on our programs and patient services.
