Cancer death rates in the United States fell by 34% between 1991 and 2022, due to decreases in tobacco use, advances in treatment and improvements in early-detection methods, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS).
But that same report had a troubling sidenote: The cancer rate in Arizona is on the rise, with the ACS projecting more than 42,000 state residents will be diagnosed with cancer in 2025 and 14,000 will die from the disease — up from 2024.
Of particular concern is the rising rate of colorectal cancer, especially among younger women.
Colorectal cancer diagnoses are rising among people under 50, with approximately 13% of all diagnoses occurring in people under the age of 50, according to the Colon Cancer Coalition. The coalition also found that:
- An estimated 56 new cases are diagnosed each day in Americans ages 46 and younger.
- Colorectal cancer is now a leading cause of cancer death in men and the second in women under 50, with death rates increasing by 2.4% per year in people younger than 50 since the mid-2000s.
- By the year 2030, colorectal cancer will be the No. 1 cancer killer of young adults, who are diagnosed in more advanced stages because they’re not usually screened and symptoms are often mistaken for other causes, which makes the disease harder to treat.
To help you recognize potential signs and symptoms of colon cancer, and the risks they pose — particularly to women in Arizona — this article provides information on:
- How Arizona women may reduce colon cancer risk
- Special colon cancer screening considerations for women over 50
- Colon cancer screening and treatment in Arizona
If you or a loved one is concerned about possible signs or symptoms of cancer and would like an initial appointment or a second opinion, call us 24/7 at 877-460-4673.
How Arizona Women May Reduce Colon Cancer Risk
Because of the gender differences in colon cancer, it’s particularly important for women to take steps to lower their risks, including those listed below.
Pay Attention to Symptoms
Don’t ignore anemia or subtle changes, such as fatigue or vague abdominal symptoms.
Know Your Family History
Being aware of your own family history helps you identify whether you’re at high risk and should take active steps to lower it. You should consider genetic counseling or frequent, earlier screening if you have a first-degree relative — such as a sister or mother — with colorectal cancer, advanced polyps, cancer before age 40 or a pattern of related cancers (colon, endometrial/ovarian) that could suggest a diagnosis of Lynch syndrome. Family history of colorectal cancer or advanced polyps found before the age of 60 can put you at higher risk than the average population.
Follow Expert Advice on Screening
Even if you feel well, stay up to date on recommended screenings. Start at age 45, even if you don’t have any symptoms, or earlier if you’re at a higher risk, with factors such as a family history of colorectal cancer, advanced polyps, inflammatory bowel disease or certain genetic conditions. Screening finds polyps so they may be removed before they develop into cancer and also finds cancer earlier, when more treatment options are available. Screening options include colonoscopy, stool-based tests and blood tests that may identify signs of cancer.
Choose Your Screening Test
Colonoscopy is comprehensive and preventive, and the only way to prevent cancer. Stool or blood tests are alternatives for those who prefer not to have a colonoscopy. But keep in mind: If you’re at high risk for colorectal cancer, stool and blood tests may identify signs of polyps, but a colonoscopy is the only way to remove them if the tests are abnormal.
Be Physically Active
Routine exercise helps regulate insulin and other hormones and decreases inflammation in the body. Physical activity helps your heart and colon at the same time and also decreases your risk for developing other cancers, such as breast cancer. Aim for at least 150-300 minutes of moderate activity weekly, including a combination of strengthening and cardio exercises. And make it a habit.
Maintain a Healthy Weight
Excess body fat raises cancer risk through hormonal and inflammatory mechanisms. Weight management reduces that risk. Thinking positively about your body also helps reduce stress, while body shaming increases it. Body positivity is about respecting and developing healthy habits that help preserve and promote wellness, longevity and mental health, as well as a higher quality of life.
Eat a Healthy Diet
Avoid ultra-processed foods. Instead choose vegetables, fruit, lean protein, complex carbs and healthy fats. Increase fiber intake, which dilutes potential carcinogens, reduces their contact time in the colon and promotes a healthy microbiome — the gut bacteria that help regulate metabolism, immunity and inflammation. Limit red and processed meats, like bacon, hot dogs and deli meats, which are linked to increased colorectal cancer risk.
Eliminate or Reduce Alcohol Consumption
Heavy drinking is a recognized risk factor for colorectal cancer; less is better for cancer prevention. Research has found evidence that alcohol is bad for the body and contributes to the risk for developing many cancers.
Adopt a Preventive Mindset
A combination of healthy lifestyle changes and cancer screening offers the biggest benefit. No supplement has been proven to prevent colon cancer, so focus on what we know works by being proactive and not waiting until symptoms occur.
Make Your Own Health a Priority
Some women delay taking care of themselves to take care of loved ones, especially if they’re feeling fine. Taking care of yourself to stay in the best shape possible is good for you and for your loved ones. If you’re healthy, not only will you have a better quality of life, but you’ll also have more time to take care of your loved ones and enjoy life.
Special Colon Cancer Screening Considerations for Women Over 50
Although men have a slightly higher risk for developing colorectal cancer than women, gender differences make it particularly important for women — especially those over 50 — to recognize the causes, symptoms and risks unique to them.
For instance, postmenopausal women may experience iron-deficiency anemia, fatigue or vague abdominal symptoms that warrant evaluation. Women are also more likely to have tumors or precancers on the right side of the colon, which may be harder to detect and may cause iron-deficiency anemia rather than obvious bleeding.
Right-sided colon lesions may also bleed slowly, get missed and are among the most common causes of interval colon cancer.
It’s also true that interval cancer — or colon cancer occurring after a colonoscopy cleared the colon — is most common on the right side in women over the age of 60, as it often develops with polyps that are difficult to detect.
For all these reasons, it’s especially important for women over 50 to stay up to date on cancer screenings and pay close attention to symptoms of anemia, fatigue or vague abdominal symptoms that warrant evaluation.
Colon Cancer Screening and Treatment in Arizona
Because colorectal cancer typically isn’t diagnosed until more advanced stages, screening for the disease is critical, especially in younger individuals and women who may not experience noticeable symptoms.
But convincing more people to be screened for colorectal cancer is challenging. A 2023 ACS report found that Arizona had the fifth-lowest screening rate among adults ages 45 to 54 years old, with only a third receiving recommended screenings.
City of Hope® Cancer Center Phoenix is a leader in helping diagnose and treat the disease. City of Hope gastroenterologist’s are specially trained to identify an individual’s personal risk factors that may warrant earlier or more frequent screenings than those recommended for people who are not a high risk for developing the disease.
Besides being able to perform colonoscopies, stool DNA tests and genetic screenings, City of Hope uses a specialized tool — GI Genius® —an artificial intelligence-powered diagnostic technology that is able to identify precancerous and cancerous lesions, adenomas and colon polyps.
City of Hope researchers also have developed a blood test that may be able to detect early-onset colorectal cancer. More research is needed before this type of liquid biopsy is approved for wider use, but the development shows how City of Hope is a leader in advancing diagnostic and treatment options for cancer.
When cancer is detected, City of Hope Phoenix experts develop comprehensive, personalized care plans individualized for each patient, including a range of precise and minimally invasive surgical techniques and optimal drug combinations. Our specialists may also connect patients with appropriate clinical trials exploring promising new therapies while offering a full array of supportive care services to help patients manage the side effects of the disease and its treatment and improve quality of life — before, during and after treatment.
If you or a loved one is concerned about possible signs or symptoms of cancer and would like an initial appointment or a second opinion, call us 24/7 at 877-460-4673.