Cáncer colorrectal

Factores de riesgo que no se pueden controlar

• Las personas mayores de 45 años están en mayor riesgo.
• Colorectal cancer is more common in African Americans and Jews of Eastern European (Ashkenazi) descent. Por lo tanto, las personas de estos orígenes étnicos deben someterse a exámenes de detección a partir de los 45 años.
• Colorectal cancer is more common in patients who have already been diagnosed with colorectal cancer, polyps, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis or long-term inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
• The likelihood of developing colorectal cancer is higher in people with a family history of colorectal cancer or adenomatous polyps. Discuss screening with your doctor. You may require earlier and more frequent screening.
• Lynch syndrome is a genetic condition that increases the risk of digestive tract cancers, gynecologic tract, and other organs. In addition, people who have Lynch syndrome have a significantly increased risk of developing colorectal cancer.
• Rare genetic conditions like familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) also increase a person's risk of colorectal cancer.

Controllable Risk Factors

• Overweight people are more likely to develop colorectal cancer.
• Diets high in red meats and processed meats lead to an increased risk of colorectal cancer, while diets high in fruits and vegetables can lower the risk of colorectal cancer.
• Exercise might help lower the risk for colorectal cancer.
• Smokers are more likely to develop colorectal cancer than non-smokers.
• Men who have more than two alcoholic drinks per day and women who have more than one alcoholic drink per day increase their chances of developing colorectal cancer.
• Renown Health recomienda una evaluación formal del riesgo de cáncer colorrectal si usted es mayor de 50 años o cumple otros factores de riesgo.

Prueba de evaluación

Colonoscopía

For your doctor to see the colon lining and correctly identify polyps or other lesions, the colon must be empty. Luego, su médico le dará instrucciones sobre cómo prepararse para el procedimiento, que generalmente incluye tomar un laxante, beber solo líquidos claros y ayunar durante al menos 24 horas antes del procedimiento. Most people consider the preparation more unpleasant than the exam itself, but you must follow the instructions; otherwise, the colonoscopy might need to be rescheduled.

Before performing the exam, your doctor will give you a sedative that helps you relax and fall asleep. Afterward, your doctor will meet with you to discuss their findings.

Los expertos recomiendan que las colonoscopías se realicen cada diez años a partir de los 50 años. After that, depending on the results, your doctor may schedule more frequent screenings. Si es mayor de 76, hable con su médico. They will take into account your overall health and prior screening history before scheduling a colonoscopy.

FIT Test

The FIT (Fecal Immunochemical Test) Test is a simple, at-home colorectal cancer screening kit that you can complete in the privacy of your own home. Las pruebas FIT no causan dolor, no requieren restricciones en la dieta ni en los medicamentos, y se completan en 10 minutos aproximadamente. Completion involves:

• Collecting a stool sample.
• Placing it on a test card or tube.
• Returning it to the doctor's office.

Your insurance may cover FIT Tests. Please talk with your insurance provider to see if the FIT Test is covered.