I have seen firsthand the impact that colorectal cancer can have on individuals and families. In Arizona, colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer diagnosis and the second leading cause of death.
From 2017 to 2021, the most recent data available, an average of 2,796 Arizonans were diagnosed with invasive colorectal cancer each year at a rate of 32.1 cases per 100,000 people.
March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, making it the ideal time to discuss this life-threatening disease and the importance of screening and early detection.
Colorectal cancer develops in the colon or rectum. It typically begins as a precancerous polyp that, over time, can develop into cancer if left undetected and untreated. In its early stages, CRC often presents with no symptoms, making routine screenings critical.
Warning signs of CRC include:
• A change in bowel habits.
• Blood in or on the stool.
• Diarrhea, constipation or feeling that the bowel does not empty all the way.
• Abdominal pain, aches or cramps that do not go away.
• Unexplained weight loss.
The American Cancer Society estimates there will be 107,320 new cases of colon cancer and 46,950 new cases of rectal cancer in 2025, with an expected estimate of about 52,900 deaths from the disease this year.
According to the ACS, the lifetime risk of developing CRC is about one in 24 men and one in 26 women. Concerning trends show that CRC-related deaths among individuals under 55 have been increasing by 1% annually since the mid-2000s.
The most effective way to reduce CRC risk is through regular screenings. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that adults at average risk begin regular screenings at age 45 and continue through age 75. For individuals aged 76 to 85, screening decisions should be made in consultation with a doctor. Those with higher risk factors may need to start screening earlier.
Screenings can detect precancerous polyps so they can be removed before they become cancerous. Early detection significantly improves survival rates: the five-year relative survival rate is 91% for localized colon cancer and 90% for local-stage rectal cancer. However, for cases where cancer has spread to distant parts of the body, survival rates drop to 13% for colon cancer and 18% for rectal cancer.
Editor’s note: Dr. Scott Steingard is a primary care physician with Optum – Arizona, practicing at Optum's Metro Center Health Clinic in the West Valley. Please send your comments to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.
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