Colorectal Cancer

Every year approximately 131,000 Americans are diagnosed with colorectal cancer, and about 55,000 die from this disease, which is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Early detection can prevent colorectal cancer because precancerous polyps can be removed before they advance.

The majority of colorectal cancer cases occur after the age of 50, which is why the American Cancer Society recommends that men and women at average risk begin screening at age 50. However, anyone with a personal or family history of colorectal cancer, polyps in the colon or rectum, or ulcerative colitis is at higher risk for the disease and may need to be examined sooner and more often.

Recognizing Symptoms

Common signs and symptoms of colorectal cancer include:

• A change in bowel habits
• Diarrhea, constipation or feeling that the bowel does not empty
• Blood in the stool
• Stools that are narrower than usual
• General abdominal discomfort
• Weight loss for no known reason
• Constant tiredness
• Vomiting

These symptoms are often caused by other conditions. It is important to check with your doctor.

What Screening is Available

Fecal Occult Blood Test - is a simple procedure that checks the stool sample for hidden blood which can be a sign of cancer, polyps, or internal disorders.

Digital Rectal Exam - allows a physician to feel if a tumor is present in the rectum.

Flexible Sigmoidoscopy - is a procedure using a flexible hollow lighted tube that detects cancer or polyps inside the rectum and lower colon. The sigmoidoscope can view almost half of the colon.

Colonoscopy - is a similar procedure to the sigmoidoscopy, except that the colonoscope is long enough to view the entire colon

Double-contrast Barium Enema - is an X-ray examination that allows the radiologist to view the entire colon.

If polyps or an abnormality is discovered, a small tissue sample is removed through the colonoscope for examination. If cancer is found, surgery, sometimes combined with radiation and/or chemotherapy is used for treatment.

The American Cancer Society recommends that men and women at average risk begin regular screening for colorectal cancer at age 50. You and your doctor should decide between one of the following options:

• Beginning at age 50, have a fecal occult blood test and a flexible sigmoidoscopy. Repeat the occult blood test annually and the sigmoidoscopy every 5 years.
• Beginning at age 50 have a Colonoscopy at 10 year intervals
• Beginning at age 50 have a double-contrast barium enema every 5 to 10 years.

These options apply to individuals without symptoms, and who are at average risk for the disease. If you have a change in bowel habits, rectal bleeding or stomach cramps that do not go away, see your doctor right away.

People with higher risk for colon cancer and rectum cancer (those who have had colorectal cancer or polyps, or who have inflammatory bowel disease such as ulcerative colitis, or with blood relatives who have had colorectal cancer) may need to have these tests done earlier, and more often

Remember

Remember colorectal cancer can be prevented with early detection and immediate follow-up. Since colorectal cancer developed over a period of time, it is possible to detect the disease long before symptoms appear. Early detection of small cancers also reduces the likelihood of major surgery.

Additional Resources

Cancer Information Service: - (CIS) (800) 4-CANCER; (800) 422-6237
American Cancer Society: - (800) ACS-2345; (800) 227- 2345
National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship: - (301) 585-2616
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: - (770) 488-4751
CancerCare: - (800) 213-HOPE
Medicare Hotline: - (800) 638-6833

Internet Sites:

http://www.nci.nih.gov
http://cancertrials.nci.nih.gov
http://cancernet.nci.nih.gov
http://www.medicare.gov
http://www.cdc.gov

Fax:

CancerFax (301) 402-5874