Beasley, Allen, Crow, Methvin, Portis & Miles, P.C.

Colorectal cancer, or cancers of the colon or rectum, is the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States among men and women combined, according to the American Cancer Society. The average person has about a 1 in 19 risk of developing the disease over his lifetime. Detected early, the disease can be curable. The best defense is regular screenings. Regular colonoscopies are recommended beginning at age 50, or sooner for those with a family history or exhibiting symptoms.

Colorectal cancers often present no symptoms in the early stages, which is why screenings are important. Signs and symptoms of the disease may include

• A change in bowel habits, including diarrhea or constipation or a change in the consistency of your stool for more than a couple weeks;
• Rectal bleeding or blood in your stool;
• Persistent abdominal discomfort, such as cramps, gas or pain;
• Abdominal pain with a bowel movement;
• A feeling that your bowel doesn’t empty completely;
• Weakness or fatigue;
• Unexplained weight loss.

Some symptoms of colorectal cancer, such as blood in your stool, may indicate other conditions, so it is important to discuss your symptoms with your doctor. He may order a colonoscopy to rule out any serious problems. Discuss with your doctor any concerns you have about the procedure.

While generally safe, the elderly are more susceptible to problems from the procedures, most notably, a type of solution used to clean the bowel prior to colonoscopies, oral sodium phosphate (OSP), has been linked to a serious kidney injury. The prescription products, Visicol and Osmo Prep, now fall under an FDA black box warning and Fleet, makers of over-the-counter OSP products, have pulled them from the shelves.

Sources:
American Cancer Society
Mayo Clinic

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