Colorectal Cancer FAQ

Colorectal Cancer FAQ

Anton Bilchik MD is one of the nation’s leading experts in the surgical treatments for colorectal cancer. As such, he spends a great deal of time answering questions about colorectal cancer. Today, Anton Bilchik offers this colorectal cancer FAQ to explore the answers to some of the common questions regarding colorectal cancer.

What is colorectal cancer?

Colorectal cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the colon and rectum, the last part of the digestive tract.

How many Americans have colorectal cancer?

Doctors diagnosed 131,607 American adults with this disease in 2010; 52,045 adults died from colorectal cancer that year. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer-related cause of death in the United States.

What causes colorectal cancer?

Doctors do not yet know the exact cause of this disease. About three-quarters of people with colorectal cancer have no risk factors for the disease, such as a family history or inflammatory bowel disease.

What are the symptoms of colorectal cancer?

Colorectal cancer does not usually cause symptoms in the early stages of the disease – many people do not know they have it, at first. When symptoms do appear, they can include blood in the stool, stomach pain and cramps, and unintended weight loss.

What can I do to reduce my risk for colorectal cancer?

Stay active, maintain a healthy weight, and get regular screening for colorectal cancer. Screening tests include those that look for blood in the stool and tests that use flexible tubes and cameras that help the doctor look inside your colon, such as colonoscopy and flexible sigmoidoscopy.

Contact the office of Anton Bilchik MD for more information on colorectal cancer.