Doctors at St. Agnes Medical Center are encouraging people to take steps to protect their health during Colorectal Awareness Month.
In 2025, the National Cancer Institute estimated that more than 150,000 people in the United States were diagnosed with colorectal cancer. While some cases are linked to family history, doctors say most diagnoses occur without an inherited cause.
"Most colorectal cancers are sporadic, which means you don't have any kind of inherited risk. About 10% - 15% are familial, which means family members may have it. But there is no inherited genetic factor which is causing it, about 5% is inherited," said Dr. Deepa Sharma, a colon and rectal surgeon with St. Agnes Medical Center.
According to the American Cancer Society, incidence rates of colorectal cancer have dropped among older adults, but cases in people younger than 50 have increased by close to 3%. Doctors say although men are diagnosed more often, women are also susceptible.
"Most early colorectal cancers are asymptomatic, but patients can have symptoms. One of the most common symptoms is rectal bleeding," Sharma said.
Dr. Sharma said early detection and diagnosis are key to preventing the disease from spreading.
"We know that colorectal cancer starts off as polyps," she said.
Doctors say screening can reduce the risk of colorectal cancer. There are several testing options available for people.
"You can get a stool test with detecting blood in the stool or a fit test, which has to be done every year, and there is the cologuard of a fit DNA test, which has to be done every three years," Sharma said.
Dr. Sharma says a colonoscopy remains the most effective screening tool, recommending that people begin screening at age 45.
"We have a good look at the colon and make sure if there is anything abnormal like a polyp. We take it out and if there is anything else that is abnormal, we do a biopsy," Sharma said.
Treatment for colorectal cancer has improved over the past decade. The National Cancer Institute reports the disease now has a survival rate of just over 65%. Doctors also say maintaining healthy lifestyle habits can help reduce the risk of developing cancer.
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