Many people don’t think about the possibility of being diagnosed with rectal cancer, but the reality is serious. In 2023, rectal cancer made up 7.8% of all new cancer diagnoses. And unfortunately, the condition is difficult to recognize in its early stages.
Boca Care Surgical Associates promises to do everything we can to help people with rectal cancer. Avraham Belizon, MD, FACS, FASCRS offers a number of surgical options to manage this condition in its different stages. But how do you know for sure if you’re already at risk for rectal cancer?
Rectal cancer is often overlooked, but it’s a serious condition. After all, the rectum is the end of your digestive system, and it must function properly for you to lead a healthy life and for your body to be able to eradicate waste.
This condition doesn’t cause symptoms for most people in its early stages, but cancer that has progressed may cause constipation, diarrhea, blood in the stool, appetite changes, and weight loss. It’s important to be on the lookout for these issues if you have a risk for rectal cancer.
How can you know if you’re at risk? Here are some factors that increase your chances of developing rectal cancer:
As you age, your risk of developing this disease increases, so it’s important to get regular checkups. However, since 2020, diagnoses in people under the age of 50 have increased dramatically. As such, you should always be aware of the possibility of developing this disease.
Many people who develop colorectal cancer have a family history of the illness or of polyps in the colon, which is what rectal cancer develops from. Making sure you’re aware of your family’s medical history is one of the best ways to determine if you already have a risk factor for this disease.
Those who suffer from certain medical conditions are more likely to develop colorectal cancer. These conditions include IBS, Crohn's disease, colitis, hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (Lynch syndrome), and familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP).
Not eating enough fruits and vegetables and eating more meats and processed foods can potentially lead to rectal cancer. This is considered a low-fiber, high-fat diet. If you recognize your eating habits are not as healthy as they could be, consider changing up what you eat to avoid any issues associated here.
Not moving around much or getting regular exercise can increase your chances of developing rectal cancer. In order to avoid this, try starting with gentle workouts a few times a week, making sure you’re getting your body moving often and regularly.
Drinking and smoking are both linked to a number of cancers, including colorectal cancer. If you already have other risk factors, and you drink or smoke, consider decreasing your intake or simply quitting to avoid more potential problems down the road.
If you have more than a few of these risk factors, it’s important to consider getting screened for rectal cancer so that, if you are experiencing problems, you can catch them as early as possible.
Visit our Boca Raton, Florida office today, and find out more about your options. To make an appointment, call us at 561-395-2626, or visit us online. We’re here to help!
