As a black man, we may not be aware of the risk of colorectal cancer that we face. Unfortunately, this type of cancer is much more common in African American men than it is in other populations. It’s important to understand the factors that put us at risk and what steps we can take to lower the risk. Let’s explore how colorectal cancer affects black men.
Risk Factors for Black Men
African American men are more likely to develop colorectal cancer than other racial groups – about 10 percent more likely, according to the SEER Cancer Study. This means that it’s especially important for black men over the age of 50 to get screened regularly for colorectal cancer. Additional risk factors include having a family history of colon cancer, being overweight or obese, smoking cigarettes, eating a diet high in red or processed meats, drinking alcohol regularly, and having inflammatory bowel disease like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.
Symptoms & Screenings
Colon cancers don’t usually have any symptoms until they reach an advanced stage. That’s why screenings are so important; they can help detect precancerous polyps before they become tumors. Generally speaking, adults over 50 should get regularly screened for colon cancer with either a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy every 10 years or a fecal occult blood test every year. However, if you have additional risk factors like those mentioned above, it may be wise to talk with your doctor about getting screened earlier and more often than recommended guidelines suggest.
Treating Colorectal Cancer
If you do receive a diagnosis of colorectal cancer, there are several treatment options available depending on the stage of your disease. Surgery is often used to remove tumors and nearby tissue while chemotherapy and radiation therapy are used to destroy remaining cancer cells after surgery has been performed. In addition, targeted drugs may be used to slow tumor growth in certain cases when surgery is not possible due to health concerns such as age or medical condition. Finally lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking and eating a healthy diet can also help reduce the side effects associated with treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy as well as improve overall health outcomes following treatment for colorectal cancer.
Colorectal cancer is much more common among African American men than other population groups; however there are steps that can be taken to reduce one’s risk as well as treatments available if one does receive a diagnosis of colorectal cancer. Regular screenings starting at age 50 (or earlier depending on individual circumstances) are key steps towards detecting this type of cancer early on when it is most treatable – making it essential for all black men over 50 to make sure they stay up-to-date with their screening schedule! Additionally making lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking and eating healthier can go a long way towards reducing your chances of developing this serious form of cancer in the first place!
