FAQ's
Here you'll find answers to frequently-asked questions about colorectal cancer. Examples include what it is, how it's treated, and what it looks like.
Top 8 Colorectal Cancer Questions
If you're unfamiliar with colorectal cancer, this is a great place to start. As you read the answers to common questions, you'll have an opportunity to explore specific topics in more detail.
If you're unfamiliar with colorectal cancer, this is a great place to start. As you read the answers to common questions, you'll have an opportunity to explore specific topics in more detail.
What is colon cancer?
Cancer cells reproduce but they don't die. They're sort of like evil immortals. The body just can't kill them no matter how hard it tries. When these immortals set up shop in the colon, it's referred to as colon cancer.
Cancer cells reproduce but they don't die. They're sort of like evil immortals. The body just can't kill them no matter how hard it tries. When these immortals set up shop in the colon, it's referred to as colon cancer.
Does obesity increase colon cancer risk?
Nobody likes to have the word obese thrown at them. I prefer overweight. But, obesity is a medical term that indicates someone exceeds their recommended weight, one step beyond simply being overweight. And the answer to the question is yes, obesity does increase colon cancer risk.
Nobody likes to have the word obese thrown at them. I prefer overweight. But, obesity is a medical term that indicates someone exceeds their recommended weight, one step beyond simply being overweight. And the answer to the question is yes, obesity does increase colon cancer risk.
Does alcohol increase colorectal cancer risk?
Research has indicated that alcohol increases colorectal cancer risk. Research has also shown that it lowers it, or that it has no effect at all. So which is right? All of it may be. The key appears to be what kind of alcohol you're drinking.
Research has indicated that alcohol increases colorectal cancer risk. Research has also shown that it lowers it, or that it has no effect at all. So which is right? All of it may be. The key appears to be what kind of alcohol you're drinking.
Does ovarian cancer increase colon cancer risk?
Women sometimes wonder if a personal (or family) history of ovarian cancer means they have to be extra concerned about colon cancer, too. Whether a woman with a history of ovarian cancer is at increased risk for colon cancer depends on why she (or her family member) developed ovarian cancer in the first place.
Women sometimes wonder if a personal (or family) history of ovarian cancer means they have to be extra concerned about colon cancer, too. Whether a woman with a history of ovarian cancer is at increased risk for colon cancer depends on why she (or her family member) developed ovarian cancer in the first place.
Do polyps increase colon cancer risk?
The short answer is yes. Your risk of developing colon cancer increases when you have polyps and even if your parent, sibling, or child has polyps.
The short answer is yes. Your risk of developing colon cancer increases when you have polyps and even if your parent, sibling, or child has polyps.
Does breast cancer increase colon cancer risk?
That's a good question and one the medical community is still asking itself. Some studies indicate that breast cancer increases colon cancer risk and others say it doesn't.
That's a good question and one the medical community is still asking itself. Some studies indicate that breast cancer increases colon cancer risk and others say it doesn't.
Does gender influence colorectal cancer risk?
You may have heard that men are more likely to get colorectal cancer than women. You may have heard it the other way around, too. Both statements can be true depending on the context.
You may have heard that men are more likely to get colorectal cancer than women. You may have heard it the other way around, too. Both statements can be true depending on the context.
Does a family history of colon cancer increase my risk?
Most colon cancer occurs in people with no family history of the disease. But, colon cancer can run in the family. Whether you're at increased risk depends on which family member was diagnosed and at what age.
Most colon cancer occurs in people with no family history of the disease. But, colon cancer can run in the family. Whether you're at increased risk depends on which family member was diagnosed and at what age.
How does smoking increase colon cancer risk?
How does smoking increase colon cancer risk? Two main ways. The gist is that tobacco smoke transports carcinogens to the colon and tobacco use increases the size of polyps.
How does smoking increase colon cancer risk? Two main ways. The gist is that tobacco smoke transports carcinogens to the colon and tobacco use increases the size of polyps.
Do ethnicity, race, and social status impact colorectal cancer risk?
Does colorectal cancer afflict everyone equally or are some groups of people more likely to be diagnosed than others? The reasons are varied, but some groups get colorectal cancer more often than others. Ethnicity, race, and social status all play a part.
Does colorectal cancer afflict everyone equally or are some groups of people more likely to be diagnosed than others? The reasons are varied, but some groups get colorectal cancer more often than others. Ethnicity, race, and social status all play a part.
Can inflammatory bowel disease cause colon cancer?
Can inflammatory bowel disease cause colon cancer? The short answer is yes. People who suffer from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at increased risk for colon cancer because the tissue of the colon is inflamed for a long period of time.
Can inflammatory bowel disease cause colon cancer? The short answer is yes. People who suffer from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are at increased risk for colon cancer because the tissue of the colon is inflamed for a long period of time.
Does uterine cancer increase colon cancer risk?
Women with a personal (or family) history of uterine cancer may have a greater risk of developing colon cancer. If the uterine cancer was caused by a particular genetic mutation, women are considered at high risk for colon cancer.
Women with a personal (or family) history of uterine cancer may have a greater risk of developing colon cancer. If the uterine cancer was caused by a particular genetic mutation, women are considered at high risk for colon cancer.
What are some signs of colon cancer?
People often ask if there are any signs of colon cancer they can look out for so they'll know if they need to get screened. It's best to get regular screenings rather than rely on signs of colon cancer. This is because a tumor can grow for years before you see any signs of colon cancer. But, knowing what to look out for can't hurt.
People often ask if there are any signs of colon cancer they can look out for so they'll know if they need to get screened. It's best to get regular screenings rather than rely on signs of colon cancer. This is because a tumor can grow for years before you see any signs of colon cancer. But, knowing what to look out for can't hurt.
Does exercise help prevent colon cancer?
There's no denying that exercise is good for you. The couch potato in me would like to see a study every once in a while declaring otherwise, but that just doesn't happen. Exercise helps keep us healthy and yes, it helps prevent colon cancer.
There's no denying that exercise is good for you. The couch potato in me would like to see a study every once in a while declaring otherwise, but that just doesn't happen. Exercise helps keep us healthy and yes, it helps prevent colon cancer.
What's my risk of developing colon cancer?
Most people have about a six percent chance of developing colon cancer at some point in their lives. Some things, like a personal or family history of cancer, may increase your risk. Other things, like following colon cancer screening guidelines, decrease your risk.
Most people have about a six percent chance of developing colon cancer at some point in their lives. Some things, like a personal or family history of cancer, may increase your risk. Other things, like following colon cancer screening guidelines, decrease your risk.
What is the colon?
The colon is about six feet long and is the part of the body's digestive system that moves waste material from the small intestine to the rectum.
The colon is about six feet long and is the part of the body's digestive system that moves waste material from the small intestine to the rectum.
What is the rectum?
The rectum is about eight inches long and serves, basically, as a warehouse for poop. It receives waste material from the colon and stores it until you defecate.
The rectum is about eight inches long and serves, basically, as a warehouse for poop. It receives waste material from the colon and stores it until you defecate.
What is a risk factor?
A risk factor is something that is likely to increase the chances that a particular event will occur. Sometimes, this risk comes from something you do. Other times, there's nothing you can do about the risk. It just exists.
A risk factor is something that is likely to increase the chances that a particular event will occur. Sometimes, this risk comes from something you do. Other times, there's nothing you can do about the risk. It just exists.
How do genes influence colon cancer risk?
For most people, the impact of genes is minimal. About 75% of colon cancer occurs in people with no (or very little) family history of the disease. However, the other 25% of cases are attributed to two types of colon cancers: familial and hereditary.
For most people, the impact of genes is minimal. About 75% of colon cancer occurs in people with no (or very little) family history of the disease. However, the other 25% of cases are attributed to two types of colon cancers: familial and hereditary.
Does environment impact colon cancer risk?
Research has shown that environment can play a big part in colon cancer development. Where you live, who's around you, your occupation, and even when you work may all influence your risk of developing colon cancer.
Research has shown that environment can play a big part in colon cancer development. Where you live, who's around you, your occupation, and even when you work may all influence your risk of developing colon cancer.
What effect does diabetes have on colon cancer?
People with diabetes have a greater chance of developing colon cancer. They also tend to have lower survival rates and higher recurrence rates.
People with diabetes have a greater chance of developing colon cancer. They also tend to have lower survival rates and higher recurrence rates.