Medical History and Physical Examination for Colorectal Cancer
Examination Overview
You can help your doctor diagnose and treat
your condition by being ready to answer the following questions:
- What are your main symptoms? Although
colorectal cancer does not always cause symptoms,
common symptoms include:
- Abdominal cramps.
- A change in your bowel
habits (either constipation or diarrhea).
- Blood in your
stools.
- Narrow stools.
- Unexplained weight
loss.
- Fatigue.
- Loss of appetite.
- How long have you had the
symptoms?
- Are your symptoms getting worse?
- Do you smoke
or use other types of tobacco?
- What foods do you typically eat? Do
you eat a lot of processed foods and animal fats?
- Have you ever
been told you have cancer, either colorectal or another type?
- Has
anyone else in your family ever been diagnosed with colorectal or another type
of cancer?
- Do you have any type of
inflammatory bowel disease, such as ulcerative colitis
or Crohn's disease?
- What drugs do you take? Make a complete list of
all your prescriptions and any over-the-counter drugs and take the list with
you to your appointment.
During a physical examination, your doctor will:
- Take your temperature and
weight.
- Listen to your heart and lungs.
- Inspect your
abdomen for signs of a tumour, enlargement of your liver, or
swelling.
- Perform a
digital rectal examination.
Why It Is Done
A complete medical history and
physical examination will help your doctor find the cause of your symptoms. It will
also help decide whether you need more tests.
Results
The results of the medical history and physical
examination may mean that a person needs to begin routine testing for colorectal
cancer earlier than age 50 and have it more often. You may need earlier or more
frequent testing if you:
- Already have been diagnosed with colorectal
cancer.
- Have a first-degree relative (parent, brother, sister, or
child) with an
adenomatous polyp or colorectal
cancer.
- Are of African descent. People of African descent have an increased risk of getting colorectal cancer. .
- Have had adenomatous polyps removed
from your colon. This type of polyp is more likely to turn into cancer, though
the risk is still very low.
- Have inflammatory bowel disease, such
as
ulcerative colitis or
Crohn's disease.
- Have a rare
inherited polyp syndrome.
- Have had
endometrial cancer or
ovarian cancer.
- Have had
radiation treatments to the abdomen or pelvis.
Credits
| By | Healthwise Staff |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Andrew Swan, MD, CCFP, FCFP - Family Medicine |
|---|
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Arvydas D. Vanagunas, MD - Gastroenterology |
|---|
| Last Revised | December 30, 2010 |
|---|
Last Revised:
December 30, 2010
