How to Detect Colon Cancer Early
Detecting colon cancer early can save lives, and at CheckIt4Andretti, we’re here to make it easier. Founded in honor of racing legend John Andretti, our mission is to empower individuals with the resources, knowledge, and support needed for early colon cancer detection. Whether you’re searching for information, guidance, or help accessing a free or low-cost screening, we’re here to help you take control of your health. Early detection is the key to prevention—don’t wait to take action. Let us help you CheckIt4Andretti.
Detecting Early Can Save Your Life
Follow Gladys Dykes’ journey from a positive at-home FIT test to being colon cancer-free, made possible by the CheckIt4Andretti Foundation and its partners. Featured in UICC’s ‘Rewriting Cancer’ series, this video showcases the power of early detection and care.
Preventing Colon Cancer
While there’s no guaranteed way to completely prevent colon cancer, adopting healthy habits and following screening recommendations can significantly reduce your risk. Here’s what you can do:
- Eat a nutritious diet: Focus on fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, and fish while minimizing processed foods, fatty meats, and deli products.
- Stay active: Regular physical activity can lower your risk.
- Maintain a healthy weight: Managing your weight helps reduce the risk of not just colon cancer, but other chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease.
- Avoid tobacco and limit alcohol use: These habits are associated with a higher risk of colorectal cancer.
- Start screening at age 45: The CDC recommends that all adults begin regular colon cancer screenings at age 45. Screening is the most effective way to detect and treat colon cancer early, even before symptoms arise. Talk to your doctor about which screening method is right for you—whether it’s a colonoscopy or a non-invasive at-home test.
Recognizing Possible Signs
Colon cancer is often referred to as a “silent disease” because symptoms may not appear until the cancer has progressed significantly. However, understanding and recognizing the early signs can make all the difference in catching the disease early when it’s most treatable. Here are some common signs to watch for:
- Frequent diarrhea or constipation: Persistent changes in your bowel movements could be a sign of something more serious.
- Unusual stool appearance: Narrow, ribbon-like stools or other noticeable changes in size, shape, or consistency may indicate a problem.
- Feeling of incomplete emptying: A persistent sensation that your bowel hasn’t fully emptied can be an early warning sign.
- Blood in stool or rectal bleeding: Blood in your stool may appear bright red or dark, and rectal bleeding shouldn’t be ignored.
- Cramping or pain: Persistent abdominal discomfort, such as cramping or bloating, may signal an issue in your digestive tract.
- Increased gas (flatulence): Noticeable changes in the frequency or severity of gas production could also be a sign.
- Unexplained weight loss: Losing weight without changes in diet or exercise could indicate an underlying health issue.
- Fatigue or weakness: Feeling unusually tired or weak may also accompany other symptoms.
Assess Your Risk for Colorectal
Cancer in Minutes
This Colorectal Cancer Risk Assessment Tool is a quick, five-minute questionnaire designed to estimate your risk of developing colorectal cancer. By answering questions about your age, sex, ethnicity, diet, physical activity, medical history, etc., the tool calculates your risk over the next five years and throughout your lifetime. Use your results to discuss proactive screening and prevention steps with your healthcare provider.
For more resources, tips, and updates on colorectal cancer prevention, be sure to subscribe to our newsletter and stay connected!
For more resources, tips, and updates on colorectal cancer prevention, be sure to subscribe to our newsletter and stay connected!
The CheckIt4Andretti Foundation's mission is to save lives by increasing awareness of the importance of screenings in the prevention and early detection of colorectal cancer, and by providing funding to high risk, low income patients who are uninsured, underinsured, or too young for insurance to cover the cost of screening.
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