Colorectal Cancer

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Colorectal Cancer
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What Is Colorectal Cancer?

• Colorectal cancer is the thirdmost common cancer
  in menand women.
• It begins in either the colon or rectum, which
  are both part of the digestive system (where food
  is processed).

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The American Cancer Societys Estimates

• In the United States during 2010
• 142,570 new cases of colon rectal cancer will
  be diagnosed, including
• In Georgia, the number of new cases is 3,840.
• 51,370 deaths will occur as the result of
  colorectal cancer
• 1430 deaths will occur in the state of Georgia.

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Who Is At Risk?

• Two factors greatly influence the risk of
  developing colorectal cancer
• 1. Age
• Over 90 of colorectal cancers are diagnosed in
  people over age 50.
• 2. Racial or Ethnic Background
• Gender does not appear tobe a risk factor. Men
  andwomen are similarly affected.

• African Americans have the highest rates of
  colorectal cancer of all racial or ethnic groups
  in US. Ashkenazi Jews have a higher rate of
  colon cancer.

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Other Risk Factors

• Other factors that increase risk include
• A personal history of colorectal polyps,
  previously treated colorectal cancer, or
  inflammatory bowel disease
• Being physically inactive
• Eating a diet high in fat (especially from red
  meat)
• Obesity
• Smoking
• Alcohol use
• Eating a diet low in fruits and vegetables
• Having a family history of colorectal cancers,
  certain other cancers, and benign colon polyps
  (Fewer than 10 of colorectal cancers are caused
  by inherited gene mutations.)

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Reducing Your Risk

• Early detection can help find and remove
  pre-cancerous polyps (tissue growths).
• It also appears that the following behaviors may
  reduce risks
• Regular physical activity
• Eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, and
  whole-grain foods
• Limiting high-fat foods, especially red meat and
  processed meats

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Symptoms

• Warning signs include
• Rectal bleeding
• Blood in the stool
• Change in bowel habits
• Cramping pain in the lower abdomen
• These are also warning signs for other, less
  serious illnesses, so if they appear, they should
  be discussed with a doctor.

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Detection

• Colorectal cancers can almost always becured if
  detected early.
• People of average risk with no symptoms
  shouldbegin regular screeningat age 50.
• People at increasedrisk should be screened
  earlierand more often.

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Detection Methods

• Methods for detecting colorectal cancer include
• Fecal occult blood test (FOBT) or fecal
  immunochemical test (FIT) Tests for hidden
  blood in the stool.
• Flexible sigmoidoscopy A doctor looks inside
  the rectum and the lower part of the colon
  (sigmoid colon) through a lighted tube.
• Double-contrast barium enema X-rays are taken
  after the patient is given a barium enema. Barium
  helps to outline the intestines on the x-rays.
• Colonoscopy A doctor exams the colon using a
  flexible, lighted instrument called a colonoscope.

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The American Cancer Societys Screening
Recommendations

• Starting at age 50, people of average risk with
  no symptoms should follow 1 of 5 screening
  options
• 1. Yearly fecal occult blood test (FOBT) or
  fecal immunochemical test (FIT), or
• 2. Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, or
• 3. Yearly FOBT and flexible sigmoidoscopy every
  5 years, or
• 4. Double-contrast barium enema every 5 years,
  or
• 5. Colonoscopy every 10 years.
• Of the first 3 options, the American
  CancerSociety prefers yearly FOBT and flexible
  sigmoidoscopy every 5 years (3) over
  eithertest alone (1 or 2).

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Survival Rates

• 5-year relative survival rate for localized
  disease is 90
• Localized cancer is cancer that, at the time of
  diagnosis, had not spread to additional sites
  within the body. Typically, the earlier a cancer
  is detected and diagnosed, the more successful
  the treatment, thus enhancing the survival rate.

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The Bottom Line

• Screening tests offer a powerful opportunity for
  the prevention, early detection, and successful
  treatment of colorectal cancers.
• People can reduce their risk by following
  screening guidelines eating a healthy, low-fat
  diet and increasing their level of physical
  activity.

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Contact The American Cancer Society

• American Cancer Society programs and services are
  available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• To reach us
• Visit the American Cancer Society Internet site
  at www.cancer.org.
• Call toll-free, 1800ACS2345.

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Additional Resources

• National Cancer InstituteCancer Information
  Service Telephone 18004CANCER (toll
  free)Internet www.nci.nih.gov
• American Gastroenterological AssociationTelephon
  e 3016542055Internet www.gastro.org
• Colon Cancer AllianceTelephone 18774222030
  (toll free)Internet www.ccalliance.org
• United Ostomy AssociationTelephone
  18008260826 (toll free) or 7146608624Inter
  net www.uoa.org

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