Cover Story
Top: With cancer as advanced as Padilla's, an aggressive treatment regime involving surgery and chemotherapy helped him to survive.
Below: Dionicio Padilla and wife Rebecca are encouraging people to have colonoscopies as recommended. "I'm even encouraging my 40-year-old son to get one done this year," he says.
In the Know
Facing the facts about colorectal cancer could help save your life.
Most people don't especially like talking about the body's waste elimination system. But it's a fact of life-and learning the truth about colorectal cancer could be a lifesaver."People have trouble talking about colon and bowel functions, but a colonoscopy is really relatively painless. It's done with sedation, and if it's clear, it doesn't have to be repeated for five to 10 years," says Scott Powell, M.D., a general surgeon on the medical staff at Memorial Hospital.
According to the National Cancer Institute, colorectal cancer is the third most common type of non-skin cancer in men and women, and the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States.
Colorectal cancer actually refers to two kinds of cancer: colon cancer and rectal cancer. These cancers form in the lining of the large intestine, also known as the large bowel. There are several different forms of colorectal cancer, all of which can be effectively treated if diagnosed before the cancer spreads too far.
Truth and Consequences
The symptoms of colorectal cancer, such as blood in the stool, anemia, abdominal pain or a significant change in bowel habits, often don't appear until the cancer has progressed to a stage that's far tougher to treat effectively.
That's why routine screenings are vitally important. Just ask Dionicio Padilla, 60. Despite a family history of colon cancer, he never had a colonoscopy. One day he noticed blood in his stool, so he went to see his doctor. A tumor was causing the bleeding, and the cancer had already eaten through the colon wall reaching six lymph nodes and spreading to his liver. Luckily, after an aggressive treatment regime involving surgery and chemotherapy, Padilla's cancer is in remission.
"He's been very fortunate," says Dr. Powell, noting that it's uncommon for people with cancer as advanced as Padilla's to survive.
Padilla encourages people to have colonoscopies as recommended. "People are scared or don't want to think about it, but there's really nothing to it. I'm encouraging my 40-year-old son to get one done this year," he says.
Searching for Answers
Most people should begin having colonoscopies around age 50, Dr. Powell says, with follow-up screenings as recommended by their doctor. But if there's a family history, screenings should begin 10 years before the youngest age when a family member was diagnosed.
The preferred screening test for colorectal cancer is a colonoscopy. A thin viewing instrument is inserted into the colon so the doctor can inspect the interior lining of the large intestine for abnormalities. Preparation for the test involves cleansing the colon with a liquid diet and, sometimes, laxatives.
There's also a test called a virtual colonoscopy, where air is introduced into the colon, which is then examined using a high-resolution CT scan. However, the preparation is much the same as for a traditional colonoscopy.
A Dose of Reality
Various factors can increase your risk of developing colorectal cancer. It's more common in people over 50, and in people who eat a diet high in fat and low in fiber. The presence of polyps can increase your risk, as can having diabetes. Women with a personal history of ovarian, uterine or breast cancer and African Americans are also at increased risk.
Memorial Hospital's affiliation with Baylor Health Care System adds access to extensive expertise in colorectal cancer, including genetic testing and a team of surgeons on the medical staff at Baylor dedicated to colon and rectal surgery. What's more, Baylor's involvement in research offers patients access to advances in health care.
But to help prevent the development of colorectal cancer in the first place, experts recommend eating a diet low in animal and dairy fats and high in fiber. Along with the necessary screenings, it's honest advice that could lead to a longer, healthier life.
By Stephanie Thurrott
Family Matters
If there is a strong history of colorectal cancer in your family, you could be carrying a rare mutated gene that significantly increases your chances of developing a hereditary form of the disease.Fortunately, a simple blood test, available at Baylor, can give you the answers you need.
"Genetic testing can tell us with near certainty whether or not someone is carrying the gene," says Scott Powell, M.D., a general surgeon on the medical staff at Memorial Hospital. "And if the gene is present, then we know to perform screenings on that person earlier and more frequently."
Dr. Powell says there are two particularly compelling reasons to consider genetic testing: if more than one close relative was diagnosed with colorectal cancer-particularly first-degree relatives, such as parents or siblings-and if they were diagnosed before age 50.
"You can live with the risk," Dr. Powell adds. "You just need to be aware and know what to do."