relay for life

Colorectal Cancer Fact Sheet

· Colorectal cancer (commonly referred to as “colon” cancer) develops in the lower part of the digestive system, also referred to as the gastrointestinal, or GI, system. The digestive tract processes the food you eat and rids the body of solid waste matter. This cancer usually develops from precancerous changes or growths in the lining of the colon and rectum. These growths in the colon or rectum are called polyps.

· In 2006, an estimated 148,610 new cases of colorectal cancer will be diagnosed in the United States. Of these new cancer cases, 106,680 will be colon cancer and 41,930 will be rectal cancer.

· An estimated 55,170 deaths due to colorectal cancer are expected to occur in 2006, accounting for about 10 percent of cancer deaths this year in the United States.

· About 30,000 lives a year could be saved if everyone over 50 got screened for colorectal cancer.

· Of the 55,170 people expected to die of colorectal cancer in 2006, half could be saved if they were tested.

· When women and men are considered separately, colorectal cancer is the third most common cause of cancer death in each sex.

· Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer among African American women and the third most common cancer among African American men.

· African Americans have the highest incidence rate and death rate from colorectal cancer of any racial or ethnic group in the US.

· Colorectal cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in both Hispanic Latino men and women.

· Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among African American men and women combined.

· Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death among Hispanic Latino men and women combined.

Risk Factors
· Age: The risk of colorectal cancer increases with age. More than 90 percent of cases are diagnosed in individuals over the age of 50.
· Family History: A personal or family history of colorectal cancer or polyps or of inflammatory bowel disease of significant duration increases the likelihood of having colorectal cancer. Also, there are certain genetic factors that increase the likelihood of having colon cancer, including conditions called familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), Gardner’s syndrome, hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer, and being of Ashkenazi Jewish descent.

Race: African Americans have the highest colorectal cancer rates and the highest rate of death from the disease of any racial or ethnic group in the United States.

· Other risk factors include:
- Smoking
- Alcohol consumption
- Obesity
- Physical inactivity
- Diet high in fat and/or red meat or processed meat
- Diet low in fruits and vegetables

Symptoms
Early colorectal cancer usually causes no symptoms and can be detected by available colorectal cancer screening tests. However, as colorectal cancer progresses, the disease may cause symptoms. People with the following symptoms should see their doctor immediately:

· A change in bowel habits, such as diarrhea, constipation, or narrowing of the stool, that lasts for more than a few days
· A feeling that you need to have a bowel movement that doesn’t go away even after you do have a bowel movement
· Bleeding from the rectum or blood in the stool
· Cramping or gnawing stomach pain
· Decreased appetite
· Weakness and fatigue
· Jaundice (yellow-green color of the skin and white part of the eye)

Note: Signs and symptoms of colorectal cancer typically occur in advanced stages of the disease.

Testing/Detection
There are several colorectal cancer early detection tests. According to the American Cancer Society guidelines for the early detection of colon cancer, starting at age 50 both men and women should discuss the full range of testing options with their doctor or health care professional and choose one of the following testing options:

· Yearly fecal occult blood test (FOBT)
· Flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years
· Yearly FOBT and flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years (preferred over either FOBT alone, or flexible sigmoidoscopy alone)
· Double-contrast barium enema every five years
· Colonoscopy every 10 years

Note:
All positive tests should be followed up with colonoscopy. People with a family or personal history of colon cancer or polyps, or history of chronic inflammatory bowel disease should be tested earlier, and may need to undergo testing more often.

Common Treatments
· Surgery is the most common form of treatment for colorectal cancer. For cancers that have not spread, it frequently controls the disease.

· Chemotherapy or chemotherapy with radiation treatment is given before or after surgery to most patients whose cancer has spread into the bowel wall or to the lymph nodes.

· A permanent colostomy (creation of an abdominal opening for elimination of body wastes) is very seldom needed for colon cancer and is frequently not required for rectal cancer.

Survival
· When colon cancers are detected at an early (i.e. localized) stage, the five-year survival rate is approximately 90 percent; however, because screening rates are so low, only 39 percent of colorectal cancers are detected at this stage.

· There is a 68 percent chance of five-year survival when the cancer has spread only to nearby organs or lymph nodes.

· Once the cancer has spread to other parts of the body, the five-year survival rate is about 10 percent.

The Colorectal Screening Program at Faxton-St. Luke's Healthcare provides free, comprehensive screening for colorectal cancer in individuals ages 50 and over. Our program coordinator will be on hand to distribute kits and talk about colorectal cancer and early detection. For more information call 315-624-4805

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY
COLORECTAL CANCER SCREENING GUIDELINES

Beginning at age 50, both men and women at average risk for developing colorectal cancer should follow one of these five testing schedules:
§ Yearly fecal occult blood test (FOBT)* or fecal immunochemical test (FIT)
§ Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years
§ Yearly FOBT* or FIT plus flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years**
§ Double-contrast barium enema every 5 years
§ Colonoscopy every 10 years
People should begin colorectal cancer screening earlier and/or undergo screening more often if they have any of the following colorectal cancer risk factors:
§ A personal history of colorectal cancer or adenomatous polyps
§ A strong family history of colorectal cancer or polyps (cancer or polyps in a first-degree relative younger than 60 or in two first-degree relatives of any age) Note: a first-degree relative is defined as a parent, sibling, or child.
§ A personal history of chronic inflammatory bowel disease
§ A family history of an hereditary colorectal cancer syndrome (familial adenomatous polyposis or hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer)

*For FOBT, the take-home multiple sample method should be used.

**The combination of yearly FOBT or FIT plus flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years is preferred over either of these options alone. All positive tests should be followed up with colonoscopy.

In a digital rectal examination (DRE), a doctor examines your rectum with the gloved end of his/her finger. Although a DRE is often included as part of a routine physical exam, it is not recommended as a stand-alone test for colorectal cancer. However, your doctor should do a DRE before inserting the sigmoidoscope or colonoscope. This simple test, which is not painful, can detect masses in the anal canal or lower rectum. By itself, however, it is not a very sensitive test for detecting colorectal cancer due to its limited reach.

Colonoscopy should be done if the FOBT or FIT shows blood in the stool, if sigmoidoscopy results show a polyp, or if double-contrast barium enema studies find anything abnormal. If possible, polyps should be removed during the colonoscopy.

Turning 50 is Fabulous…Also The Time to Get a Colon Check,
According to New Cancer Awareness Campaign

50+ year-old community leaders talk about their colons
and tell all on new Web site

You got your driver’s license at 17, entered the workforce at 21, and started a family at 30. Now you’re 50 and fabulous – a prime opportunity to take stock of your personal health.
The American Cancer Society’s “Fabulous at 50” colon cancer awareness campaign helps adults approaching 50 educate themselves about the importance of getting screened for this preventable cancer. The Society has recruited volunteers from across NY and NJ, aged 50-plus, who have made a commitment to get screened, talk about their colons, blast emails to 50 friends and keep an online journal, or “blog,” about their colon screening experiences and concerns.
Colon cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the third most common cause of cancer death in both men and women. According to the American Cancer Society, 148,610 new cases and 55,170 deaths are estimated nationwide – a number that could be cut in half if the Society’s testing guidelines were followed.
In New York an estimated NY new cases are expected to be diagnosed and approximately 3,540 cancer deaths as a result.
“When colon cancer is caught early, there is a 90 percent chance of survival. Yet, fewer than four in 10 of these cancers are discovered at the earliest, most treatable stage,” said Dr. Alfred R. Ashford, chief medical officer for the American Cancer Society of New York and New Jersey. “Screening can detect abnormalities before they become cancerous and detect cancers when they are most treatable, so it is imperative that anyone 50 or over speak with his or her doctor about a colon cancer screening.”
The Society’s “Fabulous at 50” campaign, will feature an updated Web site, www.cancer.org/colonfab50, where the public can view personal journals by some Fabulous volunteers. The Web site also features an online poll, free 50th birthday electronic cards, information about the recommended colon cancer screening guidelines, help for the uninsured and underinsured, a list of celebrities turning 50. The Society’s colon cancer awareness efforts also include an ad campaign, free educational materials and blue colon cancer awareness wristbands with the slogan, “Fear Nothing,” available only on the Web site.
The American Cancer Society offers reliable information about colon cancer, risk factors, prevention and testing available any time, day or night. Trained specialists are available at the Society’s toll free cancer information service at 1.800.ACS.2345 to answer calls 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In addition, callers can receive a free information kit, including a DVD, designed to educate patients about their testing options and help them talk to their doctors about colon cancer.

The American Cancer Society is dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by saving lives, diminishing suffering and preventing cancer through research, education, advocacy and service. The American Cancer Society Eastern Division has 46 community-based offices, involving thousands of volunteers throughout New York and New Jersey. For 24-hour cancer information, call toll free 1-800-ACS-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.

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