Don't Ignore the Dangers of Colorectal Cancer

Dr. Bridget Fahy
Attending Surgeon
The Methodist Hospital

Colorectal cancer, which was slammed into the public consciousness when broadcaster Katie Couric underwent a colonoscopy live on "The Today Show" in 2000, is the third most common cancer. "A woman's lifetime risk of developing colorectal cancer is one in 19," says Bridget Fahy, M.D., attending surgeon at The Methodist Hospital. "It's common enough that people need to be aware of it and, more important, need to be screened for it."

"People at average risk should undergo a screening colonoscopy at age 50," Dr. Fahy states. Those with higher risk need to begin screening earlier. Women with a first-degree relative (parent, child or sibling) who has had colorectal cancer should first be screened 10 years prior to the age at which their relative was diagnosed.

For more information on the detection of colorectal cancer or to make an appointment with the Methodist Cancer Center, call 866-316-6668.

Watch for Symptoms
"In addition to undergoing routine screening, women should be aware of symptoms of colorectal cancer and see their doctor right away if they experience any," Dr. Fahy says. The most common symptom is a change — any change — in bowel habits. Seeing blood in the stool or on the paper when you wipe is another sign. "Many women who have had children just write this off to hemorrhoids. That's a mistake," she emphasizes.

Advances in Treatment
For the majority of colon cancers, the first step in treatment is surgical removal of the tumor. "There's been a major breakthrough in the past several years," Dr. Fahy exclaims. "Minimally invasive laparoscopic procedures have equivalent outcomes to open surgery for colon cancer." Laparoscopic surgeries generally involve shorter hospital stays, reduced pain, lower risk of infection and faster recovery times.

"Rectal cancer is also treated by surgical removal of the tumor, but chemotherapy and radiation are sometimes needed before surgery to shrink the tumor, reduce the chances of the tumor coming back, and increase the likelihood that a permanent colostomy can be avoided," Dr. Fahy says. And since the rectum is close to the bladder and the uterus, surgery and radiation can have implications for bladder function and sexual function. Having an expert radiation oncologist and experienced surgeon is vital to preserving these functions. "We're fortunate at The Methodist Hospital to have many specialists who can increase patients' chances for a good outcome. We also offer intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), an advanced, high-precision form of radiation.

"There are many reasons to be hopeful about colorectal cancer," Dr. Fahy concludes. "We have a way to prevent colon cancer by removing polyps; we have a good screening technique, the colonoscopy; and in a major breakthrough in the past five to 10 years, we have very effective chemotherapy for cancers that have spread. Colorectal cancer is a treatable disease, and in many cases, a curable disease."