Younger Patients Diagnosed with Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women.

Dr. Rebecca Brown, a board certified colorectal surgeon with The Melissa L. Posner Institute for Digestive Health and Liver Disease at Mercy Medical Center, explains how risk factors and early detection are crucial.

Colorectal cancer starts as growths inside of the intestines, and that makes it hard to catch early. Symptoms don't usually show up until those growths are large enough to block the tube.

Symptoms to watch for include:

• Bloating
• Fatigue
• Changes in bowel habits
• Persistent diarrhea
• Constipation
• Bright red blood or darker stools

According to Dr. Brown, she sees younger patients being diagnosed with colon cancer and there's no real reason as to why.

"I tell all of my patients (that) trying to eat healthy and exercise are going to be two of the things that are going to be most helpful for your colon," Dr. Brown said. "The other thing - and you will not talk to a colorectal surgeon that doesn't see this - is fiber. So, there is not necessarily something we can say, 'Oh, this is definitely why.' But here (are) the things that we can look out for to really improve our colon health."

By the time a polyp - an abnormal growth of cells inside the colon - has turned into a cancer, it is grown into the colon wall too far for it to be removed during a colonoscopy. That's when surgery for colon cancer comes into play.

Dr. Brown explained that getting regular colonoscopies is important, and people should start them at age 45. Screening changes for those who have any other issues associated with inflammation of the colon.

View Mercy colorectal surgeon Dr. Rebecca Brown’s interview about colorectal cancer in women.