March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month!
Colorectal cancer starts when cells in the colon or rectum grow out of control.
Most colorectal cancers start as polyps, which are growths on the inner lining of the colon or rectum. This change from polyps into cancer usually occurs over many years, and not all polyps become cancer.
Risk Factors for Colorectal Cancer
A risk factor is anything that increases your chances of developing a chronic disease such as cancer. There are many factors that can increase your chance of developing colorectal cancer.
Some of these risk factors can’t be changed. These risk factors include:
- Age greater than 50
- History of polyps
- History of ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease
- Family members with colorectal cancer
- Ethnic background (African Americans and Ashkenazi Jews)
There are other risk factors that you CAN change. These risk factors include:
- Being overweight or obese
- Diet high in red meats and/or processed meats
- Physical inactivity
- Heavy alcohol use
- Tobacco use
Taking Control of your Health
Although there is no specific way to prevent colorectal cancer, there are things you can do to lower your risk. One way to lower your risk of colorectal cancer is by increasing your amount of physical activity. By doing 150 minutes of physical activity every week, you can lower your risk of many diseases. If you are interested in engaging in more physical activity, Pitt Partners for Health’s Walk Wise program could be for you! Grab a group from your church or neighborhood to start a local walking group. For more information, contact Tiera Beale at tiera.beale@vidanthealth.com.
It is never too early to teach kids about healthy habits to prevent cancer. If you want to get your children involved in physical activity, sign them up today for Kids in Parks! Kids in Parks offers family-friendly adventures called TRACK Trails. These trails provide guided brochures and signs to create a fun experience for your kids while they engage in physical activity. When adventures are tracked online, the kids will receive prizes in the mail. There are four Kids in Parks locations in Pitt County, ready to be explored. To find your local trail, visit www.kidsinparks.com.
Nutrition plays an important role in your risk of colorectal cancer as well. By adding more vegetables, fruits, and whole grains into your diet while limiting your intake of red meat (beef, pork, lamb, and liver) and processed meats (hotdogs, lunchmeats), you are significantly decreasing your risk for colorectal cancer. If you are interested in learning more about how to eat healthier, Pitt Partners for Health can help! “Cooking Matters at the Store” is a FREE guided grocery store tour designed to teach ways to eat healthier on a budget. To sign up for a tour or to schedule one for your group, contact Mary Gaskins at mgaskins@vidanthealth.com or 252-847-8774.
Screenings
One of the biggest ways to find colorectal cancer early, or even before it starts, is through screening.
Right now, you could have a polyp– a small growth in your colon or rectum. Right now, your polyp may be harmless, but over time it could develop into colorectal cancer. Right now, through regular screening, you have the power to find and remove precancerous polyps and prevent colorectal cancer.
A colonoscopy is not the only option for colorectal cancer screening. There are simple, affordable options, including tests that can be done at home. Talk to your doctor about which option is right for you. Ask which tests are covered by your health insurance. Most importantly…get screened. It could save your life.
Pitt Partners for Health (PPH) is a community health improvement partnership with representatives from local churches, businesses, communities, the hospital, health department and other human service agencies. The partnership mission is to improve the population health of Pitt County through coalition building and partnership. PPH meets on the 2nd Thursday of each month in community locations throughout the county. If you have questions or for more information, please contact Tiera Beale (tiera.beale@vidanthealth.com)