12 myths about colon cancer debunked

Experts at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center provide accurate information for twelve common fears misconceptions about colon and rectal cancer.

MYTH 1:  Colon cancer is a white man’s disease.

In fact, colon cancer affects men and women equally and it is diagnosed in people of all races.

MYTH 2:  I don’t have any symptoms, so I must not have colon cancer.

The most common symptom is no symptom at all.  More than half of people diagnosed with colon cancer will not have symptoms of the disease.  After symptoms appear, advanced disease is more likely.

MYTH 3:  Colonoscopy is difficult to prepare for.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist about your options

“People shouldn’t be afraid of it because they don’t want to drink the laxative. There are many more options so you can find something that is tolerable,” Kim Turgeon ,MD says. 

MYTH 4:  Colonoscopy is unpleasant and uncomfortable.

During the procedure itself patients are sedated to reduce discomfort.  The colonoscopy takes 20 to 30 minutes, and people can resume normal activities the next day.

MYTH 5: I saw Katie Couric get a colonoscopy on the Today Show, so I should get one too

The UM experts say,

Colonoscopy screening is recommended for men and women beginning at age 50, unless other risk factors exist. If you’re 50 or older, talk to your doctor about screening. If you are younger than 50 but have other risk factors – such as family history, obesity, smoking, ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease – talk to your doctor about your screening needs. But remember, age is the most significant risk factor for colon cancer

Myth 6: Colonoscopy is the only way to screen for colon cancer.

There are several approved methods for screening for colorectal cancer including fecal occult blood test, flexible sigmoidoscopy, and double contrast barium enema.  But colonoscopy can view the entire colon and can remove polyps and diagnosis cancer.

Myth 7: A polyp means I have cancer.

Most polyps are benign, but some — adenomatous polyps — have the potential to become cancer.  Removing them prevents colorectal cancer.

Myth 8: Colonoscopy is just a screening technique.

Colonoscopy screens for colorectal cancer, finds and removes precancerous polyps, and diagnoses colon cancer.

Myth 9: If I have colon cancer, it means I am dying.

Colon cancer found at the earliest stage is 95% curable.  Even when it has spread beyond the colon to liver or lungs, improvements in chemotherapy and surgery are extending and saving lives.

Myth 10: Surgery will be disfiguring and recovery painful.

The experts say,

New surgical advances allow for minimally invasive procedures that leave only a small scar. Patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery may have an easier recovery than patients who have open surgery. Some evidence suggests cancer control is better with a minimally invasive approach.

Myth 11: If I have colon surgery, I’ll need a colostomy bag.

Permanent colostomies are rare today with improved surgical techniques and radiation treatment for rectal cancer.

Myth 12: Few research advances focus on colon cancer.

The truth, according to the University of Michigan experts is,

Much exciting research is occurring in colon cancer. At U-M, research has focused on improving radiation techniques, including using radiation to shrink tumors that have spread to the liver. Researchers are also working with colon cancer stem cells, the small number of cells within a tumor that fuel its growth. It’s believed that identifying the cancer stem cells will allow more effective drugs to be developed. Other research is looking at multiple genes involved in colon cancer and at improving screening techniques so more cancers can be detected early. This includes searching for markers in blood, stool or urine that might provide an easier screening tool to early signs of colon cancer. In the area of prevention, researchers are looking at the effects of curcumin (found in curry), resveratrol (found in red wine), ginger and the Mediterranean diet on the growth and development of colon cancer.

Twelve Myths About Colon Cancer was written by Nicole Fawcett at the University of Michigan.  Answers to the myths have been adapted for this post by C3.