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Dec 6, 2022 · Published on December 6, 2022 06:10PM EST. Kirstie Alley. Photo: Cindy Ord/Getty. Kirstie Alley had colon cancer before she died Monday at the age of 71. Her diagnosis, which her family says the ...
- 2 min
- Vanessa Etienne
- Overview
- What are the early signs of colon cancer?
- Here are the risk factors for colon cancer
- What is prognosis and treatment like?
- The bottom line:
•Actor Kirstie Alley has died after being diagnosed with colon cancer earlier this year.
•Colon cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, is the third most common type of cancer in the United States and globally.
•In the U.S. over 151,000 people will develop the disease in 2022.
Kirstie Alley, known for her work on Cheers and Veronica’s Closet, died this week after a short battle with colon cancer.
The actress, who was 71, was recently diagnosed with colon cancer and had been receiving treatment at Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa, Florida, PEOPLE reported.
“We are sad to inform you that our incredible, fierce and loving mother has passed away after a battle with cancer, only recently discovered,” her family wrote in a statement posted to Alley’s Instagram.
Dr. Vikram Reddy, a colon and rectal surgeon at Yale Cancer Center and Smilow Cancer Hospital, says that most colon cancers are asymptomatic.
Some people will experience a change in bowel habits and rectal bleeding. Others will develop anemia, which can be detected via a blood test.
As the cancer progresses, people may develop abdominal pain, bloating, or have difficulty keeping food down, says Reddy.
With advanced disease, people may experience weight loss, fluid build-up in the abdomen, or jaundice, which indicates that the cancer has spread to the liver.
Colon cancer is often picked up during routine colonoscopies. Some types of colon cancer can be identified through a rectal exam.
“The easiest way to screen, diagnose and treat precancerous lesions is with a colonoscopy,” Reddy said.
Age is the biggest risk factor — the vast majority of cases are in people 65 and older, however, in recent years, colon cancer has become more common in people under 65.
If colon cancer runs in your family, you may be at increased risk as well
Race is another risk factor. African Americans are 20% more like to get colorectal cancer and 40% more likely to die from it. Alaskan Americans similarly face a higher risk.
Reddy says colon cancer appears to be caused by a genetic predisposition and can be stimulated by external triggers, including environmental and lifestyle factors, diet, and gut microbiome.
Certain health conditions — like inflammatory bowel disease, cystic fibrosis, diabetes, and obesity — have been associated with a higher risk of colon cancer, but they can’t be directly linked to colon cancer, according to Cecchini.
Oftentimes, it’s unclear what causes cancer.
“Deaths from colon cancer have been dropping overall due to early detection from colonoscopy,” Reddy said.
That said, deaths in patients under age 50 have been increasing. This has prompted doctors to start screening for colon cancer starting at age 45.
The prognosis largely depends on the stage of the cancer.
“With increasing stage, the survival decreases,” Reddy said, adding that survival rates have improved as a result of advancements in medical and surgical treatments.
Metastatic colon cancer has a five-year survival rate of about 14 % and localized colon cancer has a survival rate of up to 91%.
Reddy says the survival rate for metastatic colon cancer can increase to 50% with appropriate treatment.
Actress Kirstie Alley died this week after being diagnosed with colon cancer. Colon cancer is the third most common type of cancer, and most cases are asymptomatic. The prognosis depends on the cancer’s stage, and treatment typically includes a combination of surgery and chemotherapy.
Dec 6, 2022 · Kirstie Alley in 2010. ... In the worst-case scenario, however, where there is a colon cancer diagnosis, doctors will determine the stage of cancer and how best to treat it. Treatment can include ...
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Dec 6, 2022 · Dec. 6, 2022, 12:01 PM PST / Source: TODAY. By A. Pawlowski. Kirstie Alley was diagnosed with colon cancer before she died, her manager Donovan Daughtry confirms to TODAY. On Monday, Dec. 5, Alley ...
- 3 min
- A. Pawlowski
Dec 6, 2022 · After award-winning actress Kirstie Alley passed away at the age of 71 on Dec. 5, the star's rep is sharing more insight into her cancer diagnosis. By Kisha Forde Dec 06, 2022 2:13 PM Tags Kirstie ...
- 2 min
- Kisha Forde
Dec 7, 2022 · Kirstie Alley's unexpected death at age 71 has put a spotlight on colon cancer, the disease that took her life.. Alley had been recently diagnosed with colon cancer prior to her Dec. 5 death, a ...
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Dec 6, 2022 · Kirstie Alley, an actress best known for playing Rebecca Howe on the hit NBC sitcom "Cheers," has died from cancer. She was 71. ... Alley had not previously disclosed her cancer diagnosis.
