Is Your Family at Risk for Colorectal Cancer?

Colorectal cancer is the third most common type of cancer in the United States and the second leading cause of cancer related deaths according to John Hopkins Health Alerts. It's surprising colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer related deaths especially when early diagnosis and treatment has an over 90% survival rate.

Early diagnosis and treatment is even more important in those 15% of families whose family history shows a tendency towards colorectal cancers. That's why it's very important to know your family health history and make sure your children know as well.

People with family histories of colorectal cancer are at higher risk of developing the cancer. Those with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) usually develop colorectal cancer by age 40 if not treated. In FAP hundreds of polyps develop in their colon and rectum. But even knowing colorectal cancer is treatable when caught earlier is not enough for people to go through with the endoscopic screenings needed for early detection.

Reasons people use for not having the screenings vary from insurance not covering, to having forgotten, and not liking the endoscopic procedures. Admittedly having an endoscope of your colon and or rectum is not the most fun experience.

But the procedure has gotten a little easier. In order to get a good view of the colon and rectum, it still is necessary to clean out the intestines. This means a light diet for a few days and then some laxatives to clean out the system.

Some newer preparation laxatives have been developed which don't have the salt filled taste of citrate of magnesia or some of the other solutions. OsmoPrep is a series of pills that are taken, still with a lot of fluid, but without that salty taste.

Basically getting ready for the colorectal endoscopy means two to three days of a light diet, one day of taking the solution or pills with about 6-12 hours spent in emptying the intestines. It's best to have some reading material available in the bathroom as you'll be spending some time there.

In addition to the screenings, it seems changing some parts of diet and health habits can decrease the risk of colorectal cancer and even prevent its recurrence. These suggestions include keeping a healthy weight and regular exercise, no smoking, eating lots of fruits and vegetables, and minimizing the amount of animal fat in the diet.

If you have a family history of colorectal cancer it is important to be screened regularly. Also share the importance of regular screenings with your children and other family members. It can be the difference between life or death.