Colorectal Cancer Information Center

Facts About Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer begins with the growth of cells in the colon or rectum and normally affects older adults, but diagnosis can happen at any age. The small cluster of cells will develop and change uncontrollably into benign or malignant polys due to genetic or environmental factors. ColoTest® aims to detect blood in stool, which may be an early warning sign for colorectal cancer. With additional screening doctors can find and remove polyps to prevent or treat colorectal cancer.^1,²^,3

Colon Cancer is the 3rd most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women in the US, with an estimated 150,000 new cases diagnosed in 2023.⁷

Colon Cancer is the 2nd most deadly cancer in the US with an estimated 52,000 expected to lose their battle in 2023.⁸

About 90% of CRC related deaths are thought to have been preventable if diagnosed early enough. That’s 9 of every 10 individuals.⁹

Signs & Symptoms

Colon cancer sometimes remains hidden and does not cause symptoms right away. However, some symptoms to be aware of are:

Blood in the stool, discoloring of the stool to dark red or black
A change in bowel habits, such as diarrhea, constipation, or feeling as though you need to have a bowel movement without relief from one
Rectal bleeding with bright red blood
Cramping or abdominal pain
Fatigue and feeling weak and run down
Unplanned weight loss

Blood in the stool can be an initial sign of colorectal cancer. There may be obvious signs of bright red bleeding or darker-colored bowel movements. ColoTest® should not be used in these cases. See your doctor to discuss options. More commonly, bleeding may be present but not visible, and it is known as occult (hidden) blood, which various tests, including ColoTest® can discover.^2,⁴

Risk and Cancer Development Factors

There is a 5% risk of someone with an average risk to develop colorectal cancer. Below are factors that may
increase the risk of developing colorectal cancer:^1,^2,³

Age – The majority of colorectal cancer patients are over the age of 50
Family History – It is crucial to speak to family members about past health history, as 5% to 6% of colorectal cancer cases are associated with an inherited genetic factor that increases the risk of cancer
An Inactive Lifestyle
Smoking
Gender – Men have, on average, a slightly higher risk of developing colorectal cancer
Inflammatory bowel disease
Adenomatous Polyps
Type two diabetes
Food/Diet

Detection and Diagnosis

According to the American Cancer Society, 90% of colorectal cancer deaths are thought to be preventable if the diagnosis is made early enough. If you are facing a colon cancer diagnosis, know that you are not alone in your battle. Below are some details that outline what can be expected when facing CRC.

COLONOSCOPY

The most common way to be diagnosed with colon cancer is undergoing a colonoscopy procedure. A colonoscopy uses a slim tube attached to a monitor and video camera to explore the colon and rectal area. A doctor may insert extra tools to remove polyps or take a tissue sample.⁶

BIOPSY

Like a colonoscopy, a procedure is done to remove a sample tissue for lab testing. While the tissue sample may be collected during a colonoscopy, sometimes surgery is needed to obtain a sample. The lab can identify if the cells are cancerous and how quickly they are growing.⁶

BLOOD TESTS

Blood tests aren’t used to diagnose colon cancer but rather to give doctors and patients clues on overall health. There are indications that may point a medical professional in the direction of colon cancer or bleeding caused by the cancer. In addition, colon cancer sometimes produces a protein called carcinoembryonic antigen, or CEA. Blood tests can help to identify this protein, and track if cancer is responding to treatment or is returning.⁶

¹ mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/colon-cancer/symptoms-causes/syc-20353669
² cancer.org/
³ pfizer.com/disease-and-conditions/colon-cancer
⁴ hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/colon-cancer/colon-cancer-symptoms
⁵cancer.net/cancer-types/colorectal-cancer/risk-factors-and-prevention
⁶ mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/colon-cancer/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353674
⁷ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36856579/
⁸ https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/colon-rectal-cancer/about/key-statistics.html
⁹https://www.ucsfhealth.org/education/colorectal-cancer-prevention-and-screening

DISCLAIMER: The information provided here is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition. The information provided here is for educational purposes only. In no way should it be considered as offering medical advice. Reese Pharmaceutical Company assumes no responsibility for how this material is used. Please check with a physician if you suspect you are ill.