Health Education, Multimedia Development & Graphic Design
In the summer of 2002, the US Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committee passed the Eliminate Colorectal Cancer Act (S.710). The bill, along with its US House Of Representatives companion H.R. 1520, would require all private health insurance plans to cover colon cancer screening for all patients 50 and over, and for others who have high risk for the disease (6).
The terms colon cancer and rectal cancer are often combined into one term, colorectal cancer. The colon and rectum are connected in the body and often prevention, screening, and treatment options are the same for both colon and rectal cancer. Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in both men and women in the United States (4). Approximately 90% of colorectal cancer deaths are thought to be preventable based on current prevention practices and early detection methods (4). If colorectal cancer is caught in its early stage, a person’s survival rate is 90% (4). Unfortunately only 35% of colorectal cancers are caught early in the disease (4) because many people do not realize the benefits of colorectal screening or because many screening methods can be uncomfortable.
The good news is colorectal cancer has been declining slightly in the United States over the past few years (5). Encouraging health care professionals to inform patients about the benefits of screening and encouraging patients to talk to their health care professionals about different screening options can help enhance this positive trend.
The biggest risk for colorectal cancer is a strong personal or family history of colorectal cancer (4). However, 75% of colorectal cancers occur in people with no personal or family history of the disease (4). Other big risk factors include not getting regular physical exercise, obesity, a diet high in fat and low in fruits and vegetables, and smoking (4). Most risk factors for colorectal cancer are related to lifestyle and are factors that we all have control over. In addition to living a healthy lifestyle, studies have shown that the use of aspirin-like drugs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), the screening and removal of polyps from the rectum and colon, as well as postmenopausal female hormone use may also decrease risk for colorectal cancer (5).
Eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, exercising on a regular basis, and not smoking are three simple ways to reduce your risk for colorectal cancer as well as many other diseases. For those over 50 or with a personal or strong family history for colorectal cancer, screening on a regular basis is also a very important prevention routine. There are many types of colorectal cancer screening options available and it is important to discuss all of your options with your health care provider. You may also want to talk to your health insurance company about what types of screening they cover. The five major screening options are a fecal occult blood test (FOBT), a flexible sigmoidoscopy, a colonoscopy, a double contrast barium enema, and a digital rectal exam (4). Click here to download a Word document reviewing the advantages and disadvantages of each screening option.
www.ccalliance.com
The Colon Cancer Alliance supports research on colorectal cancer, provides patient support
services, educates people about this cancer, promotes early detection through screenings,
and advocates legislation for public funding. This web site provides information on colorectal
cancer, its symptoms, treatment options, support services, recent research findings, and
much more.
www.colorectal-cancer.net
The Colorectal Cancer Network is an organization that plans to attack colorectal cancer through
support networks, awareness, screening and early detection programs, and legislative actions.
This web site provides support for people with colorectal cancers and their caregivers, and
contains recently published articles on colorectal cancer. Additionally, the web site offers
a list of patient care services and links on how to find a doctor specializing in colorectal
cancer and the questions to ask.
Footnotes
1. http://www.nci.nih.gov/cancer_information/cancer_type/breast
2. ACS. Cancer Facts and Figures. 2002.
3. http://www.nabco.org/images/myth_fact_new.pdf
4. ACS. Cancer Facts and Figures. 2002.
5. http://www.nci.nih.gov/cancer_information/cancer_type/colorectal
6. ACS News Today. Eliminate Colorectal Cancer Act Moves To The Full Senate. July 18, 2002.
7. Healthy People 2010. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
8. http://www.lungusa.org/data/lc/lcp1.pdf
9. http://www.lungusa.org/data/smoke/SMK1.pdf
10. Behind the Smoke Screen: The Facts About Tobacco use in Colorado. Colorado Department
of Health and Environment. 1999
11. ACS. Cancer Facts and Figures. 2002.
12. Questions and Answers About Early Prostate Cancer. Cancer Facts. National Cancer Institute.
1999
13. Questions and Answers About the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial. Cancer Facts. National
Cancer Institute. 2000
14. Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial (SELECT): Questions and Answers. Cancer
Facts. National Cancer Institute. 2001.
15. 5 A Day Program Evaluation Report. National Cancer Institute. 2000
16. http://www.usda.gov/cnpp/DietGd.pdf
This page reviewed and updated October 13, 2004.
Health information is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for diagnosing or treating a health problem. If you have or suspect you may have a health problem, you should consult your health care provider.