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Sam Anderson is president of Bay & Bay Transportation and directs its Healthy U driver wellness program.

Colorectal cancer has long been a disease cloaked in embarrassment and misunderstandings.  But it shouldn’t be.  March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and, according to the Prevent Cancer Foundation, the goal is to increase awareness that colorectal cancer is largely preventable, treatable and beatable.

Defining Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer is just as it sounds:  cancer of the colon (the longest part of the large intestine) and/or rectum (the last several inches of the large intestine).  The National Cancer Institute reports that colorectal cancer – for men and women -- is the third most common cancer and the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths.  After age 50, men are more vulnerable.  Studies have found that more than 90 percent of people with colorectal cancer are diagnosed after age 50.

Who’s At Risk?

• Men and women age 50 and older
• People with a personal or family history of colorectal cancer or benign (not cancerous) colorectal polyps (growths on the inner wall of the colon or rectum)
• People with a personal or family history of inflammatory bowel disease - ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease
• People with a family history of inherited colorectal cancer
• People who use tobacco, are obese and are sedentary

Symptoms
In the early stages, there may not be any symptoms. Later, these symptoms may appear:

• Rectal bleeding and/or blood in or on the stool (bright red)
• Change in bowel habits and/or stools that are narrower than usual
• Stomach discomfort (bloating, fullness and/or cramps) and frequent gas pains
• Diarrhea, constipation or feeling that the bowel does not empty completely
• Weight loss for no apparent reason and/or constant tiredness
• Vomiting

Get Screened!
Colorectal cancer is one of the most easily prevented cancers because it can develop from polyps that can be removed before they become cancerous.  Yet, the American Cancer Society says fewer than half of Americans over 50 have any colorectal cancer screening testing.  Men and women at average risk should begin regular screening at age 50.  

This includes:

• A colonoscopy every 10 years
• A fecal occult blood test (FOBT) or fecal immunohistochemical test (FIT) every year, followed by a colonoscopy if something abnormal is found
• A flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, in combination with yearly FOBT or FIT

Prevention
I can’t stress enough the importance of getting regular screening tests AND making healthier choices:  get regular exercise; maintain a healthy weight; eat more fruits, vegetables and whole grains; don't smoke; and don't drink alcohol excessively.

For more information, contact the National Cancer Institute at www.cancer.gov. for a free online booklet called “What You Need to Know About Cancer of the Colon and Rectum.” Or call 1-800-4-CANCER to request information about symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and questions to ask your doctor.

If you have comments about, or ideas for, “Healthy U for Truck Drivers,” please send them to me at healthyu@bayandbay.com. Until next time, remember, small steps can lead to big change and a healthier you.