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The American Cancer Society estimates that approximately 42,000 individuals per year are diagnosed with colon and rectal cancer. People over the age of 50 are at a higher risk to get this type of cancer. Diet and genetic predisposition also play a role.
Symptoms include bloody stools, painful bowel movements, abdominal cramping, anemia, weight loss and a decrease in the diameter of the stool. Starting at age 50, the American Cancer Society recommends a yearly stool blood test and flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years or a colonoscopy every ten years. Individuals with a family history of colorectal carcinoma should undergo screening prior to age 50.
Treatment options for rectal cancer include radiation therapy, surgery, chemotherapy and immuno-therapy, depending on the advancement of the disease. Radiation therapy is delivered through high energy X-rays or other forms of radiation. The radiation kills the cancer cells or helps shrink the mass of cancer cells in the rectum. At Radiotherapy Clinics of Georgia, CT scan-based radiation planning is used, which helps to deliver more precise treatment to the cancerous areas. Side effects of treatment may include redness and soreness of the skin in the treatment area, fatigue, diarrhea and rectal or bladder irritation.