SOME FUN FACTS ABOUT COLORECTAL CANCER, MINE WAS STAGE 2…
For colon cancer, the overall 5-year relative survival rate for people is 63%. If the cancer is diagnosed at a localized stage, the survival rate is 91%. If the cancer has spread to surrounding tissues or organs and/or the regional lymph nodes, the 5-year relative survival rate is 72%. If colon cancer has spread to distant parts of the body, the 5-year relative survival rate is 13%.
In 2023, an estimated 153,020 adults in the United States will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Worldwide, colorectal cancer is the third most diagnosed cancer. An estimated 1,880,725 people were diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2020.
It is estimated that 52,550 deaths from this disease will occur in the United States in 2023. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death for men and women combined. Worldwide, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death. In 2020, an estimated 915,880 people died from colorectal cancer.
What causes colon cancer?
Like all types of cancer, colon cancer happens when cells grow and divide uncontrollably. All cells in your body are constantly growing, dividing and dying. That’s how your body remains healthy and working as it should. In colon cancer, cells lining your colon and rectum keep growing and dividing even when they’re supposed to die. These cancerous cells may come from polyps in your colon.
Medical researchers aren’t sure why some people develop precancerous colon polyps that become colon cancer. They do know certain risk factors increase people’s chances of developing precancerous polyps and colon cancer. Those risk factors include certain medical conditions, including inherited conditions, and lifestyle choices. Having one or more risk factors for colon cancer doesn’t mean you’ll develop the condition. It just means you have increased risk. Understanding risk factors may help you decide if you should talk to a healthcare provider about your risk of developing colon (colorectal) cancer.
MY LIFE WAS ONE BIG CHECKMARK BESIDE LIFESTYLE CHOICES THAT ARE RISK FACTORS FOR COLON CANCER.
LIFESTYLE CHOICES THAT ARE RISK FACTORS FOR COLON CANCER.
Smoking: Using tobacco products, including chewing tobacco and e-cigarettes, increases your risk of developing colon cancer.
Excessive alcohol use: In general, men and people AMAB should limit beverages containing alcohol to two servings a day. Women and people AFAB should limit beverages containing alcohol to one serving a day. Even light alcohol use can increase your risk of developing cancer.
Having obesity: Eating high-fat, high-calorie foods may affect your weight and increase your risk of colon cancer.
Having a diet that includes lots of red meat and processed meat: Processed meat includes bacon sausage and lunchmeat. Healthcare providers recommend you limit red meat and processed meat to two servings a week.
Not exercising: Any kind of physical activity may reduce your risk of developing colon cancer.
MEDICAL CONDITIONS THAT INCREASE COLON CANCER RISK.
Inflammatory bowel disease: People who have conditions like chronic ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s colitis, which cause inflammation in their colon lining, may have an increased risk of colon cancer. The risk increases if you have inflammatory bowel disease that lasts more than seven years and affects large parts of your colon.
Inherited conditions: Certain conditions like Lynch syndrome and familial adenomatous polyposis may increase your risk of developing colon cancer. Colon cancer may happen if you inherit a gene that causes cancer.
A family history of colon and other kinds of cancer: If a close family member has colon cancer, you may have an increased risk of developing the condition. Close family members include your biological parents, siblings and children. Your risk may be higher if any biological family member developed colon cancer before age 45.
A family history of polyps: If your parent, sibling or child has an advanced polyp, you may have an increased risk of getting colon cancer. An advanced polyp may be a large polyp. Medical pathologists may characterize a polyp as being advanced if they see certain changes in the polyp when they look at it under a microscope that are signs the polyp may contain cancerous cells.
Many polyps: People with numerous colon polyps — including adenomas, serrated polyps or other types of polyps — often have an increased risk of developing polyps and colon cancer. People may inherit a tendency toward having many colon polyps.