Colon Cancer Los Angeles, CA

Prevention, screening and diagnosis of colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer is the most preventable major cancer of the body, having a high cure rate if detected at an earlier stage of disease. Nevertheless, colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths — 60,000 Americans yearly — more than either breast cancer or prostate cancer.

Gastroenterologists play a critical role in the prevention of this disease

Colorectal cancer begins with the development of a polyp. Colon polyps are benign growths that develop in the lining of the colon (large intestine). They are the result of a single genetic mutation and polyps are not associated, in most cases, with any symptoms. In most patients, 95%, they never become cancerous, but the failure to identify and remove these polyps is what can result in a person developing colon cancer.

Warning signs and symptoms

Here are some warning signs and symptoms, though they are not specific for colon cancer.

• Blood in stool or rectal bleeding
• Change in bowel habits (constipation, diarrhea) over a period of weeks or months
• Pencil-thin stools
• Unexplained weight loss
• Lower abdominal pain