Men with Colon Cancer

Excluding skin cancers, colorectal cancer is the 3rd most common cancer diagnosed in the United States, with the American Cancer Society estimating that there will be 81,860 new cases and 28,470 deaths in 2023.

Here in South Carolina, men are 30% more likely to be diagnosed with colorectal cancer and 46% more likely to die from it than women.

What is Colorectal Cancer?

Colon cancer is found in the large intestine (colon), which is the last part of a person’s digestive tract. Colon cancer is often called colorectal cancer, which is a term that combines colon cancer and rectal cancer. The rectal is found at the end of the large intestine.

Typically found in older adults, Colon cancer begins as non-cancerous polyps found on the walls of the large intestine. Over time, they can become cancerous and spread to other parts of the body. Polyps are often small and produce few symptoms, which is why doctors recommend regular screenings, especially for people at higher risk for colorectal cancers.

Colorectal Cancer is treatable if discovered early. Nationally, the survival rate for colorectal cancer found in the early stages is 90%.

Colon Cancer in Men in South Carolina

Colorectal cancer is the 4th most commonly diagnosed cancer in both men and women, and it is the 2nd most common cause of cancer death in both men and women, according to the South Carolina DHEC, which tracks these numbers.

• Among colorectal cancer incidence rates in men and women in South Carolina’s 46 counties, Orangeburg, Jasper, and Laurens counties have the highest incidence in men.
• Incidence rates for colorectal cancer are higher among African Americans than whites, both among men and women. Those incidences are 56.0 vs. 43.0 per 100,000 among men.
• Colorectal cancer mortality rates among men are highest in Cherokee, Darlington, and Dillon counties.
• Only about 37 percent of colorectal cancers in the state are diagnosed in the earliest stages of the disease.
• McCormick (48%), Greenwood (46%), and Sumter (45%) counties have the highest percentage of colorectal cancer diagnosed early.

How is Colon Cancer Detected?

The most effective way of early detection of colorectal cancers is regular screening. It’s recommended that people with a low risk of colorectal cancer begin regular screenings at age 45. However, if you are at a higher risk or have a sibling or parent with Colorectal Cancer, screening should begin at age 40 or 10 years before the youngest affective relative. This can include:

• a colonoscopy (recommended every ten years)
• a flexible sigmoidoscopy
• stool-based tests

The importance of preventative healthcare cannot be emphasized enough. If it’s time for you to be screened, give our office a call, and we will help you get set up and answer any questions you might have.