© Shutterstock

Identifying colorectal cancer -

Colorectal cancer, which also includes colon or bowel (rectal) cancer, is a disease in which cells in the colon or rectum grow out of control. The disease is designated as colon or bowel cancer, depending on where the cancer starts.

© Getty Images 

Who's most at risk? -

It's a common cancer in men and women, with 66 being the median age of diagnosis among both sexes.

© Shutterstock 

What is the colon? -

The colon is also known as the large bowel or large intestine. The large intestine includes the rectum and anus.

© Shutterstock 

Where does the cancer develop? -

The cancer develops on the colon's mucus membrane. In 70% of cases, the tumor develops in the sigmoid colon.

© Getty Images 

How does the cancer develop? -

Sometimes abnormal growths, called polyps, form in the colon or rectum. Over time, some polyps may turn into cancer.

© Shutterstock 

Slow to appear -

In fact, colorectal cancer can take many years to develop, as long as 10-15 years. But this can lull the patient into a false sense of security. In this image, cancer tumors (marked in red) are present in the caecum and rectum.

© Getty Images 

Colorectal cancer stages -

If left untreated, the cancer will take hold. This image illustrates the various stages of development. From left to right: 1st stage: sub mucus membrane is infected; 2nd stage: the muscularis is infected; 3rd stage: the muscularis, the sub serous membrane, the nonperitonealised pericolic tissue, and the perirectal tissue are infected.

© Getty Images 

Risk factors -

Your risk of getting colorectal cancer increases as you get older. You're also more susceptible to the condition if you have inflammatory bowel disease, for example Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.

© Shutterstock 

Family history of disease -

The risk factor increases if you have a family history of colorectal cancer or colorectal polyps.

© Shutterstock 

Colorectal cancer symptoms -

Colorectal cancer doesn't always cause symptoms, especially at first. However, there are three red flags to look out for.

© Shutterstock 

Three main signs -

The three main symptoms of colorectal cancer are: persistent blood in or on your stool; a change in bowel habits; and persistent lower abdominal (tummy) pain, bloating, or discomfort.

© Shutterstock 

Other indicators -

Diarrhea, constipation, or the feeling that the bowel does not empty all the way are other indicators that something is amiss.

© Shutterstock 

Worrying weight loss -

Significant unintentional weight loss is another sign of a potentially serious medical condition.

© Shutterstock

When to see a doctor -

It's important to stress that all these symptoms can be indicative of disorders other than cancer. The only way to check what's causing them is to see a doctor.

© Shutterstock 

The age factor -

While these symptoms should always be taken seriously, there's a particular urgency to obtain a diagnosis if you're nearing 50: most cases of colorectal cancer are diagnosed after age 50.

© Shutterstock 

What if symptoms persist? -

If symptoms like abdominal pain, aches, or cramps persist, don't delay in seeking further medical advice.

© Shutterstock 

Medical examination -

If your doctor is suspicious of cancer, you'll be scheduled to undergo a medical examination. This may entail an inspection of your tummy and backside to make sure you have no lumps.

© Shutterstock 

Blood test -

A simple blood test can check for iron deficiency anemia. This can indicate whether there's any bleeding from your bowel that you have not been aware of.

© Shutterstock

Fecal occult blood test -

Alternatively, you may be asked to undertake a fecal occult blood test where a small sample of your stool is obtained and sent to a lab. This is checked for tiny amounts of blood—a potential sign of polyps or bowel cancer.

© Shutterstock 

Colorectal cancer screening -

In fact, a fecal occult blood test is one of the five types of tests used to screen for colorectal cancer. Screening also involves a sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, virtual colonoscopy, and a DNA stool test.

© Shutterstock 

Screening recommendations -

A screening test is used to look for a disease when a person doesn't have symptoms. Colorectal cancer almost always develops from precancerous polyps in the colon or rectum. It makes sense therefore to undergo screening and have any removed before they turn malignant.

© Shutterstock 

When to commence regular screenings -

Regular screening, beginning at age 45, is the key to preventing colorectal cancer and finding it early. In fact, the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that adults age 45 to 75 be screened for colorectal cancer. So, how can you help yourself remain cancer free?

© Shutterstock 

Exercise regularly -

The benefits of regular exercise on the human body is well documented. Being inactive is a no-no and also encourages ill-health, cancer included.

© Shutterstock 

Healthy diet -

There are several lifestyle options you can adopt to decrease the chances of developing colorectal cancer. Following a healthy, balanced diet low in animal fats and high in fresh fruits, vegetables, and whole grains is a gut-friendly way of maintaining overall good health.

© Shutterstock 

Check your weight -

Keeping to a healthy weight doubtless keeps body and soul together. Bowel cancer especially is more common in overweight or obese people.

© Shutterstock 

Limit alcohol consumption -

Embracing healthy lifestyle choices also means limiting alcohol intake. Drinking too much promotes ill-health, including a number of cancers.

© Shutterstock

Stub out the habit -

If you smoke, quit. Better still, avoid tobacco from the get-go.

© Shutterstock

Colorectal cancer survival rate -

According to Cancer.Net, the five-year survival rate of people with localized stage colorectal cancer is 91%. This percentage decreases the later the cancer is detected.

© Shutterstock 

Colon cancer survival rate -

Similarly, the five-year survival rate for people diagnosed with colon cancer at a localized stage is 91%. Again, this figure decreases the later the cancer is detected.

© Shutterstock 

Bowel cancer survival rate -

And the five-year survival rate for bowel, or rectal, cancer if detected at a localized stage is 90%. Similarly, this percentage decreases dramatically if the cancer has spread.

See also: Tips on healthy aging for a long life

© Shutterstock