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What Is Colorectal Cancer
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What Is Colorectal Cancer
SCREEN ME! STOP COLORECTAL CANCER
BEFORE IT STARTS
Facts About Colorectal Cancer
What is colorectal cancer?
Colorectal cancer includes cancers of
the colon and rectum. While colorectal cancer is the second leading
cancer killer in the United States, it is also one of the most detectable
- and, if found early enough - most treatable forms of cancer.
Most colorectal cancers develop first
as colorectal polyps, which are growths inside the colon or rectum.
Colorectal cancer can be prevented if the polyps are detected and removed
before they become cancerous - which is why regular screening is so
important!
Facts & figures:
Colorectal cancer is the #2 cause of
cancer death in men and women in the U.S.
Maine has the eighth highest colon cancer
death rate in the U.S.
In 2004, an estimated 144,940 new cases
of colorectal cancer were diagnosed, with 56,730 Americans expected
to die of colorectal cancer.
In 2004, an estimated 800 Mainers were
diagnosed with colorectal cancer, causing 310 deaths.
Colorectal cancer is 90% treatable
when detected early.
Screening can find polyps before they
become cancer.
The most common symptom is no symptom
at all.
Risk Factors
Colorectal cancer is the second leading
killer cancer among men and women.
Treatment for colorectal cancer is most effective when the cancer is
found early - indeed, if polyps are removed before they become cancerous,
this is on cancer that can be prevented. So, regardless of whether
your lifestyle includes any or all of these risk factors, you should
plan on getting screened for colorectal cancer regularly once you reach
age 50.
Age:
Although colorectal cancer can strike at any age, more than 9 in 10
new cases are in people ages 50 and older. There are other factors,
however, that can increase your risk of developing colorectal cancer:
Gender:
Colorectal cancer affects both men and women.
Ethnic Background/ Race: Minorities,
particularly African-Americans and Hispanics, are more likely to be
diagnosed with colorectal cancer in advanced stages, making death rates
higher for these populations.
Personal history of bowel disease:
A personal history of colon cancer or intestinal polyps, and diseases
such as chronic ulcerative colitis, Chrohn's Disease and Inflammatory
Bowel Disease increase a person's chance of developing colorectal
cancer.
Family history/ genetic factors:
A strong family history of colorectal cancer (one or more first degree
relatives) may indicate an increased risk for developing colorectal
cancer.
Diet/Exercise: A high-fat diet,
particularly from animal sources, can increase the risk of colorectal
cancer. People who are not active have a higher risk of colorectal cancer.
Smoking/Alcohol: Recent studies
show that smokers are 30%-40% more likely than non-smokers to die of
colorectal cancer. Heavy use of alcohol has also been linked to colorectal
cancer.
Screening
Saves Lives
Colorectal cancer can be prevented by
removing precancerous polyps or growths, which can be present in the
colon for years before invasive cancer develops.
Having regular screening tests, beginning
at age 50, could save your life. Screening tests can find colorectal
cancer early, when treatment works best and the chance for a full recovery
is very high.
Four tests are recommended for colorectal
cancer screening:
The fecal occult blood test (FOBT),
which checks for hidden blood in three consecutive stool samples.
In flexible sigmoidoscopy
exams, physicians use a flexible, lighted tube (sigmoidoscope) to visually
inspect the interior walls of the rectum and part of the colon.
In colonoscopy
exams, physicians use a flexible, lighted tube (colonoscope), which
is longer than the sigmoidoscope, to visually inspect the interior walls
of the rectum and the entire colon. During this procedure, samples of
tissue may be collected for closer
examination or polyps may be removed. Colonoscopies can be used as screening
tests or as follow-up diagnostic tools when the results of another screening
test are positive.
The double-contrast barium enema
test comprises a series of X-rays of the colon and rectum, which are
taken after the patient is given an enema containing barium dye followed
by an injection of air in the lower bowel.
Several scientific organizations recommend
regular screening for all adults aged 50 years or older. Recommended
screening tests and intervals are as follows:
.
FOBT every year.
.
Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years.
.
Double-contrast barium enema every 5 years.
.
Colonoscopy every 10 years.
Precautions
You Can Take
As we all know, the best way to stay
healthy is to live a healthy lifestyle. A few simple precautions now
can help significantly improve your chances of avoiding colorectal cancer
altogether:
Eat right for life
. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables
. Keep your fat intake to less than
30% of your total calories
. Avoid foods high in cholesterol
. Limit alcohol intake
Watch your weight
Studies show that maintaining a healthful
body weight decreases cancer risk.
Quit smoking!
In addition to a host of other potentially
fatal side effects, smoking raises your risk of colon cancer.
Start getting screened when you turn
50!
The most important precaution you can
take is to get screened. Screenings can find polyps before they
become cancer and colorectal cancer is 90% treatable when detected early.
Unfortunately, the most common symptom
of colorectal cancer is no symptom at all. However, the following
symptoms MAY indicate a problem: a change in bowel habits, diarrhea,
constipation or vomiting, narrower than normal stools, unexplained weight
loss, constant tiredness, blood in stool, abdominal discomfort, a feeling
that the bowel does not empty completely, or unexplained anemia.
IF you experience any of these symptoms for more than a few days, talk
to your doctor about colorectal screening.
Screen ME! Stop Colorectal Cancer Before
It Starts
A message from the Maine Department of
Health and Human Services
Maine CDC
For more information about colorectal
cancer, call 1-877-320-6800
TTY: 1-800-438-5514 (Deaf/Hard of Hearing)
or visit <a href=http://www.mainepublichealth.gov/www.mainepublichealth.gov
The Maine Department of Health and Human
Services does not discriminate against people on the basis of disability,
race, color, creed, gender, age, or national origin in admission to,
access to, or operations of its programs, services, or activities, or
its hiring or employment practices. This information is available
in alternate format upon request.
What Is Colorectal Cancer
SCREEN ME! STOP COLORECTAL CANCER
BEFORE IT STARTS
Facts About Colorectal Cancer
What is colorectal cancer?
Colorectal cancer includes cancers of
the colon and rectum. While colorectal cancer is the second leading
cancer killer in the United States, it is also one of the most detectable
- and, if found early enough - most treatable forms of cancer.
Most colorectal cancers develop first
as colorectal polyps, which are growths inside the colon or rectum.
Colorectal cancer can be prevented if the polyps are detected and removed
before they become cancerous - which is why regular screening is so
important!
Facts & figures:
Colorectal cancer is the #2 cause of
cancer death in men and women in the U.S.
Maine has the eighth highest colon cancer
death rate in the U.S.
In 2004, an estimated 144,940 new cases
of colorectal cancer were diagnosed, with 56,730 Americans expected
to die of colorectal cancer.
In 2004, an estimated 800 Mainers were
diagnosed with colorectal cancer, causing 310 deaths.
Colorectal cancer is 90% treatable
when detected early.
Screening can find polyps before they
become cancer.
The most common symptom is no symptom
at all.
Risk Factors
Colorectal cancer is the second leading
killer cancer among men and women.
Treatment for colorectal cancer is most effective when the cancer is
found early - indeed, if polyps are removed before they become cancerous,
this is on cancer that can be prevented. So, regardless of whether
your lifestyle includes any or all of these risk factors, you should
plan on getting screened for colorectal cancer regularly once you reach
age 50.
Age:
Although colorectal cancer can strike at any age, more than 9 in 10
new cases are in people ages 50 and older. There are other factors,
however, that can increase your risk of developing colorectal cancer:
Gender:
Colorectal cancer affects both men and women.
Ethnic Background/ Race: Minorities,
particularly African-Americans and Hispanics, are more likely to be
diagnosed with colorectal cancer in advanced stages, making death rates
higher for these populations.
Personal history of bowel disease:
A personal history of colon cancer or intestinal polyps, and diseases
such as chronic ulcerative colitis, Chrohn's Disease and Inflammatory
Bowel Disease increase a person's chance of developing colorectal
cancer.
Family history/ genetic factors:
A strong family history of colorectal cancer (one or more first degree
relatives) may indicate an increased risk for developing colorectal
cancer.
Diet/Exercise: A high-fat diet,
particularly from animal sources, can increase the risk of colorectal
cancer. People who are not active have a higher risk of colorectal cancer.
Smoking/Alcohol: Recent studies
show that smokers are 30%-40% more likely than non-smokers to die of
colorectal cancer. Heavy use of alcohol has also been linked to colorectal
cancer.
Screening
Saves Lives
Colorectal cancer can be prevented by
removing precancerous polyps or growths, which can be present in the
colon for years before invasive cancer develops.
Having regular screening tests, beginning
at age 50, could save your life. Screening tests can find colorectal
cancer early, when treatment works best and the chance for a full recovery
is very high.
Four tests are recommended for colorectal
cancer screening:
The fecal occult blood test (FOBT),
which checks for hidden blood in three consecutive stool samples.
In flexible sigmoidoscopy
exams, physicians use a flexible, lighted tube (sigmoidoscope) to visually
inspect the interior walls of the rectum and part of the colon.
In colonoscopy
exams, physicians use a flexible, lighted tube (colonoscope), which
is longer than the sigmoidoscope, to visually inspect the interior walls
of the rectum and the entire colon. During this procedure, samples of
tissue may be collected for closer
examination or polyps may be removed. Colonoscopies can be used as screening
tests or as follow-up diagnostic tools when the results of another screening
test are positive.
The double-contrast barium enema
test comprises a series of X-rays of the colon and rectum, which are
taken after the patient is given an enema containing barium dye followed
by an injection of air in the lower bowel.
Several scientific organizations recommend
regular screening for all adults aged 50 years or older. Recommended
screening tests and intervals are as follows:
.
FOBT every year.
.
Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years.
.
Double-contrast barium enema every 5 years.
.
Colonoscopy every 10 years.
Precautions
You Can Take
As we all know, the best way to stay
healthy is to live a healthy lifestyle. A few simple precautions now
can help significantly improve your chances of avoiding colorectal cancer
altogether:
Eat right for life
. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables
. Keep your fat intake to less than
30% of your total calories
. Avoid foods high in cholesterol
. Limit alcohol intake
Watch your weight
Studies show that maintaining a healthful
body weight decreases cancer risk.
Quit smoking!
In addition to a host of other potentially
fatal side effects, smoking raises your risk of colon cancer.
Start getting screened when you turn
50!
The most important precaution you can
take is to get screened. Screenings can find polyps before they
become cancer and colorectal cancer is 90% treatable when detected early.
Unfortunately, the most common symptom
of colorectal cancer is no symptom at all. However, the following
symptoms MAY indicate a problem: a change in bowel habits, diarrhea,
constipation or vomiting, narrower than normal stools, unexplained weight
loss, constant tiredness, blood in stool, abdominal discomfort, a feeling
that the bowel does not empty completely, or unexplained anemia.
IF you experience any of these symptoms for more than a few days, talk
to your doctor about colorectal screening.
Screen ME! Stop Colorectal Cancer Before
It Starts
A message from the Maine Department of
Health and Human Services
Maine CDC
For more information about colorectal
cancer, call 1-877-320-6800
TTY: 1-800-438-5514 (Deaf/Hard of Hearing)
or visit <a href=http://www.mainepublichealth.gov/www.mainepublichealth.gov
The Maine Department of Health and Human
Services does not discriminate against people on the basis of disability,
race, color, creed, gender, age, or national origin in admission to,
access to, or operations of its programs, services, or activities, or
its hiring or employment practices. This information is available
in alternate format upon request.