“It started with normal stomach-ache type pain,” said Adam, now 32. “It gradually got worse. It was just excruciating.”
At just 29 years old, Adam knew his persistent stomach pains weren’t normal. After talking to his doctor, it was decided he needed a colonoscopy. His screening uncovered the cause of his pain; he had nearly 40 polyps in his large intestine. Adam turned to the doctors at Methodist Hospital | Metropolitan for life-saving surgery and reconstruction, and is now cancer-free.
“It’s not easy, but if I’ve gotten through it, someone else can,” Adam said.
Colorectal cancer is found in the colon or rectum and is on the rise in adults ages 20 to 54, according to the American Cancer Society. Represented by the growth of polyps in the lower portion of the digestive tract, this cancer exhibits very few symptoms of colorectal cancer in its early stages. As the cancer spreads, symptoms are more likely to appear and will vary depending on the size and location of the cancerous cells.
Some of the symptoms associated with colorectal cancer could include:
- Unexplained weight loss
- Bloody stool
- Inconsistency in bowel habits, including diarrhea or constipation
- Abdominal discomfort that lasts for more than a few days
Colorectal cancer is often treated with chemotherapy, radiation or surgery. Colonoscopies are performed as screening measures to identify potential polyps before they become cancerous.
If this is making you wonder about your own health and well-being, you’re likely not alone.
You can take a health assessment by clicking or tapping here, and learn when you should be tested for colorectal cancer.
Methodist Cancer Care offers personalized, compassionate care for patients on their journey from discovery to recovery. A multidisciplinary team of gastroenterologists, oncologists, colorectal surgeons, pathologists, radiologists and other medical professionals take a diverse approach to colon and rectal (colorectal) cancer treatment.
Here are some tips to reduce your risk:
- EAT a healthy diet, don’t smoke and drink alcohol only in moderation.
- EXERCISE 45 to 60 minutes per week.
- FIND OUT if your family has a history of colon cancer or benign polyps to assess your risk.
- KNOW the common symptoms of colon cancer, like rectal bleeding, continuous abdominal pain, fatigue and sudden weight loss.
- TALK to your doctor if you have a medical condition that increases your risk of colon cancer (ie: inflammatory bowel disease) and discuss the right age to start colorectal cancer screenings. Need help finding a primary care physician? Find a doctor.