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Colorectal cancer is one of the most preventable cancers — regular screening can detect polyps or early-stage cancer before symptoms appear, when treatment is most effective.
Colorectal cancer is the third most diagnosed cancer in Canada. It is the second leading cause of death from cancer in Canadian men and the third leading cause of death from cancer in Canadian women. It is, however, the most preventable cancer through screening!
Screening means checking for a disease in a group of people who do not show any symptoms of the disease. Cancer screening tests help find colorectal cancer before any symptoms develop and signs of colorectal cancer are discovered by your doctor. When colorectal cancer is found and treated early, the chances of successful treatment are far better.
Colorectal cancer typically starts as a polyp – a benign growth in the lining of the colon or rectum. If left unremoved, these polyps grow in size and can also grow in number in the colon or rectum. In time (5-10 years), these polyps may become malignant (cancerous), capable of invading nearby tissue and distant organs, such as the liver or lungs. Screening for polyps or early-stage tumours will help ensure treatment is most effective before the disease spreads outside the colon or rectum and signs of colorectal cancer manifest.
Speak to your doctor to discuss your risk and determine the most appropriate screening plan for you. It could save your life.
