Colon Cancer Facts and Fiction

Common Colon Cancer Myths

Here are some of the most common misconceptions surrounding colon cancer:

Myth: Colonoscopies are not safe.

Fact: Colonoscopies play a critical role in preventing colon cancer by enabling physicians to identify and remove pre-cancerous polyps. The outpatient procedures also are key to the early detection and treatment of colon cancer. A 2023 study in the journal Nature suggests that with every 1,000 colonoscopies performed, 28 lives are saved. However, some people are reluctant to undergo a colonoscopy because they believe the procedure is unsafe. Although colonoscopy carries some risks – as does any medical procedure – colonoscopies have been shown to be to be both effective and safe.

Myth: Colonoscopies are painful.

Fact: Many people also fear colonoscopies are painful. However, colonoscopy patients generally receive sedation administered by an anesthesiologist, so they typically feel no discomfort during the procedure.

Myth: Colonoscopies are the only screening option for colon cancer.

Fact: Colonoscopy is the gold standard for colon cancer screening, but it is not the only option. Other types of colon cancer screenings include:

• Flexible sigmoidoscopy: This screening procedure involves using a sigmoidoscope to examine the inside of a patient’s rectum and a portion of the colon for abnormalities.
• Computed tomography (CT) colonography: With this advanced CT scan X-rays form 3D models if the colon, enabling specialists to look for polyps or tumors.
• At-home stool tests. People at normal risk of colon or rectal cancer can do an at-home screen that tests for hidden blood in the stool – a finding that could signal a developing polyp or colon cancer. One widely advertised at-home stool test evaluates samples for both fecal blood and DNA changes potentially indicative of colon cancer.

While at-home stool tests may be an alternative to more invasive screening methods for certain patients, the tests typically need to be done every 1 to 3 years. And if the results are suspicious, a colonoscopy may still be needed.

Myth: There are limited options for treating colon cancer.

Fact: The options for treating colon cancer have expanded dramatically in recent years. While surgery remains a mainstay of treatment, many – if not most – patients receive more than one type of treatment to optimize their outcomes. The different interventions and therapies typically are sequenced, with – for example – surgery followed by chemotherapy or perhaps immunotherapy. Beyond surgery, other approaches used to treat colon cancers include:

• Radiation therapy
• Chemotherapy
• Targeted therapy
• Immunotherapy

Decisions about which treatments are best for a particular patient are based on factors including the person’s overall health and the type and extent of his or her colon cancer.

Myth: Colon cancer occurs only in older adults.

Fact: Although colon cancer is most commonly diagnosed in older adults, rates of colon cancer in patients younger than 50 years of age have nearly doubled since 1990.

What We Know: Colon Cancer Facts

Colon cancer develops when cells in the lining of the colon grow out of control. These abnormal growths are called polyps, some of which can turn into cancer over time. Not all polyps become cancerous. The likelihood of a polyp turning into cancer depends in part on the type of polyp. The two main types of polyps are:

• Adenomatous polyps (adenomas): These polyps can sometimes change into cancer and are considered a precancerous condition.
• Hyperplastic polyps and inflammatory polyps: Found in the colon lining, these polyps are more common but generally are not precancerous.

Colon Cancer Risk Factors

The lifetime risk of developing colon cancer is about 1 in 23 for men and 1 in 25 for women. Each person’s risk is different and depends on risk factors such as:

Age

Age is a significant risk factor. Nearly 90 percent of colon cancer cases are reported in patients older than age of 50. On average, men with colon cancer are diagnosed at age 68, while the average age of diagnosis for women is 72.

Ethnicity

Ethnic background is another significant risk factor, although the reason is unclear. Black people are about 20 percent more likely to develop colon cancer than people from most other ethnic groups.

Colon cancer also is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among Black individuals, who are 40 percent more likely to succumb to the disease than people from most other racial/ethnic groups.

Personal and Family History

A person with a family history of colon cancer has an increased chance of also developing the cancer. Nearly 1 in 3 patients with colon cancer is related to someone who also has been diagnosed. Someone with a first-degree relative (parent, sibling, or child) with colon cancer faces an even higher risk of developing the disease.

Patients with a personal history of colon cancer are more likely to develop the cancer again. A previous diagnosis of colon cancer or other kinds of cancers increases the risk of recurrence.

Diet

Eating high amounts of red meat (beef, pork, lamb, and liver) and processed meats (hot dogs, bacon, jerky, and deli meats) raises the risk of developing colon cancer. By contrast, eating a well-balanced diet that includes plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can reduce the risk.

Smoking and Alcohol Use

Smoking is most commonly associated with lung cancer, but it also has been linked to other types of cancer, including colon cancer. Regular smokers are more likely to develop colon cancer than people who do not smoke. Excessive alcohol consumption also increases the risk.

Obesity and Inactive Lifestyle

Being overweight and inactive increases the risk of colon cancer. By contrast, regular exercise and remaining at a healthy weight can help lower the risk.

Find Reliable Information and Comprehensive Care at RCCA

Patients seeking reliable information regarding colon cancer and other types of cancer should turn to the oncology and hematology team at RCCA. In addition to offering cutting-edge, evidence-based treatments, RCCA’s expert hematologists and oncologists aim to educate everyone under their care. Patients receive the most accurate information backed by the latest scientific data and evidence-based treatment guidelines.

RCCA has 22 community-based, conveniently located treatment centers throughout New Jersey, Connecticut, Maryland, and the Washington, DC area. Contact RCCA today to schedule an appointment.