The diagram shows polyps on the lining of the colon or large intestine. The structure of small polyps can change over time and become cancerous, a process that takes about 10 years. (Photo courtesy of Getty Images)
DALLAS – June 6, 2023 – Colorectal cancer is on the rise among young people. According to the American Cancer Society, incidence among people under 55 increased from 11% in 1995 to 20% in 2019, and it is now the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men under 50. .
However, colorectal cancer that affects the large intestine (colon) or rectum can be prevented by removing precancerous polyps before they become malignant. He said cancer screening (currently recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force to begin at age 45) is critical. Dr. Rosina MitaniAssociate Professor of Internal Medicine, Agnes Augustine, MSN, APRN, AGNP-Cboth members of the Division of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases at UT Southwestern Medical Center.
Dr. Rozina Mithani is an associate professor of internal medicine in the Division of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases at UT Southwestern.
“Early detection and intervention leads to better outcomes in all cases,” Dr. Mitani said.
Both experts say men are slightly more likely to develop polyps than women. They advised that if you have a family history of cancer or colon polyps, you should start screening for colon cancer earlier than age 45. Tell your health care provider if a close family member has had colon cancer, especially if the cancer developed early.
Although colonoscopy is the most common and accurate screening for colorectal cancer, Dr. Mitani and Ms. Augustine said any screening is better than no screening for this preventable cancer. This test allows the doctor to see directly inside the entire colon and, if necessary, remove polyps and send them to a laboratory for biopsy. A colonoscopy finds most small polyps and almost all large polyps and cancers.
A colonoscopy may also be required if another screening test, such as CT colonography (CTC), a blood or DNA stool test, or a sigmoidoscopy, yields a positive result. However, if you had a colonoscopy first, you probably don’t need another test.
Agnes Augustine, MSN, APRN, AGNP-C, is a member of the Division of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases at UTSW.
Although colorectal cancer may not initially cause symptoms, patients may develop abdominal pain, changes in bowel movements (frequency, texture, color, and size), blood in the stool, weakness, fatigue, and shortness of breath.
Over time, the structure of small polyps can change and become cancerous, a process that takes about 10 years.
Colon polyps are common in men and women of all races in developed countries, suggesting that diet and environmental factors play a role in their development, Dr. Mitani and Ms. Augustine said. Lifestyle risk factors include a high-fat diet, a diet high in red meat, a low-fiber diet, obesity, and smoking.
Some precancerous polyps (adenomas) have the potential to become cancerous, while other types (hyperplastic or inflammatory polyps) have little chance of becoming cancerous.
Genetics plays an important role in familial and hereditary colon cancer, both UT Southwestern experts said. Some rare genetic diseases, such as familial adenomatous polyposis and MUTYH-associated polyposis, a genetic mutation that can cause multiple colon polyps, can cause colorectal cancer to develop relatively early in adulthood. It will be expensive. Lynch syndrome, also known as hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer, increases the risk of polyps and cancer.
Testing for these genes may be recommended for families with a high incidence of cancer. People diagnosed with colorectal cancer should undergo genetic testing that can identify the presence of some of these diseases.
About UT Southwestern Medical Center
UT Southwestern is one of the nation’s leading academic medical centers, combining pioneering biomedical research with outstanding clinical care and education. The institution’s faculty have won six Nobel Prizes, including 26 members of the National Academy of Sciences, 19 members of the National Academy of Medicine, and 14 Howard Hughes Medical Institute investigators. Our more than 2,900 full-time faculty members are responsible for groundbreaking medical advances and are committed to rapidly translating science-driven research into new clinical treatments. University of Texas Southwestern physicians provide care to more than 100,000 hospitalized patients, more than 360,000 emergency room cases, and nearly 4 million outpatient visits annually in more than 80 specialties. I am supervising.