ANN ARBOR, Mich., Feb. 26 (UPI) -- Colorectal screening prevents more deaths from early detection than breast or prostate cancer, but more screens should occur, says a U.S. researcher.
University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center researchers say there are many myths and misconceptions about colorectal cancer.
For example, many believe colon cancer is a white man's disease, but colon cancer affects both men and women equally. It also affects people of all races. However, the No. 1 risk factor for colon cancer is age.
"One of the most common misconceptions is that symptoms will be evident if a person has colorectal cancer. In fact, the most common symptom is no symptoms at all," says Dr. Emina Huang of the University of Michigan Medical School.
"More than half of people diagnosed with colon cancer have no symptoms. Symptoms such as a change in stool, rectal bleeding, abdominal pain and unexplained weight loss can all signal colon cancer, but once these symptoms begin to develop, it may be a sign of more advanced disease."
