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For your peace of mind and for the good of your family, we ask you to remember to schedule your colonoscopy......and also remember to RUN FOR LISA!
Partners for Prevention: "Anyone who's underinsured or doesn't have insurance, they can call our number and we will arrange for them to be seen by a physician who will work them up for a colonoscopy. Usually the colonscopy will be set up within a month."
Colonscopies are not the only free services offer by Partners For Prevention. Women who meet certain age guidelines are entitled to mammograms, breast exams, and pap smears--all at no charge.
Pat Beecher: "There's no reason for people who don't have insurance to go without these very important tests."
You can call Partners for Prevention at 886-9201.
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 Basic Information | | Colon and Rectum |
Colorectal cancer is cancer that occurs in the colon or rectum. Sometimes it is called colon cancer, for short. As the drawing shows, the colon is the large intestine or large bowel. The rectum is the passageway that connects the colon to the anus. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer killer in the United States, but it doesn't have to be. If everybody age 50 or older had regular screening tests, at least one-third of deaths from this cancer could be avoided. So if you are 50 or older, start screening now. Colorectal cancer primarily affects men and women aged 50 years or older. For men, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer after prostate cancer and lung cancer. For women, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer after breast cancer and lung cancer. Colorectal cancer screening saves lives. Screening can find precancerous polyps—abnormal growths in the colon or rectum—so that they can be removed before turning into cancer. If everyone aged 50 years or older were screened regularly, as many as 60% of deaths from colorectal cancer could be prevented. If you are aged 50 or older, or think you may be at higher than average risk for colorectal cancer, speak with your doctor about getting screened. ColorectalColorectal cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in the U.S. In 2002 (the most recent year for which statistics are currently available): - 70,651 men and 68,883 women were diacolorectalh colorectal cancer*
- 28,471 men and 28,132 womecolorectalm colorectal cancer*
The charts belcolorectalw colorectal cancer compares to other common causes of death among men and women of all ages. Ten leading causes of death among males and females, 2002*† Males  (Text description of bar graph also available) Females  (Text description of bar graph also available) *Source: U.S. Cancer Statistics: 2002 Incidence and Mortality, U.S. Cancer Statistics Working Group, 2005 and National Vital Statistics Report, Vol. 53, No. 5, 2004. † Note: Incidence counts cover approximately 93% of the U.S. population and death counts cover 100% of the U.S. population. Use caution in comparing incidence and death counts To Top
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Screening
Screening Saves Lives Colorectal cancer almost always develops from precancerous polyps (abnormal growths) in the colon or rectum. Screening tests can find precancerous polyps, so that they can be removed before they turn into cancer. Screening tests can also find colorectal cancer early, when treatment works best. When Should I Begin to Get Screened? You should begin screening for colorectal cancer soon after turning 50, then continue getting screened at regular intervals. However, you may need to be tested earlier or more often than other people if: - You or a close relative have had colorectal polyps or colorectal cancer; or
- You have inflammatory bowel disease.
Speak with your doctor about when you should begin screening and how often you should be tested. What Is Colorectal Cancer Screening? Screening is when a test is used to look for a disease before there are any symptoms. Cancer screening tests, including those for colorectal cancer, are effective when they can detect disease early. Detecting disease early can lead to more effective treatment. In some cases, screening tests can detect abnormalities such as polyps, before they have a chance to turn into cancer. So removing polyps prevents colorectal cancer from developing.
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Fast Facts Colorectal cancer—cancer of the colon or rectum—is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. In 2002, more than 56,000 people in the United States died of colorectal cancer (28,471 men and 28,132 women).1* Colorectal cancer also is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in the United States. In 2002, more than 139,000 people in the United States were diagnosed with colorectal cancer (70,651 men and 68,883 women), making it the third most common cancer in men and in women.1 Findings from CDC's 2000 National Health Interview Survey indicate that many people who are at risk for colorectal cancer are not being screened.2 Although screening rates are beginning to rise, they remain too low to achieve the Healthy People 2010 objective for reducing mortality from colorectal cancer. In 2004, approximately 57% of adults aged 50 years or older reported having received a fecal occult blood test (FOBT) or lower endoscopy within 1 year of being surveyed by CDC's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, compared with 54% of adults surveyed in 2002.5 A recent CDC study demonstrated that: - Approximately 41.8 million average-risk people aged 50 or older have not been screened for colorectal cancer according to national guidelines.
- The U.S. health care system has enough capacity to conduct widespread screening of the unscreened population, using FOBT and diagnostic colonoscopy for those with a positive FOBT.
- Widespread screening with flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy may take up to 10 years, depending on the proportion of available capacity used for colorectal cancer screening.3 4
*Incidence counts cover approximately 93% of the U.S. population. Death counts cover 100% of the U.S. population. Use caution in comparing incidence and death counts. References - U.S. Cancer Statistics Working Group. United States Cancer Statistics: 1999–2002 Incidence and Mortality Web–based Report Version. Atlanta: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and National Cancer Institute; 2005.
Content source: Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
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Symptoms Colorectal cancer first develops with few, if any, symptoms. However, if symptoms are present, they may include: - Blood in or on the stool
- A change in bowel habits
- Stools that are narrower than usual
- General, unexplained stomach discomfort
- Frequent gas, pains or indigestion;
- Unexplained weight loss
- Chronic fatigue
These symptoms can also be associated with many other health conditions. If you have any of these symptoms, discuss them with your doctor. Only your doctor can determine why you're having these symptoms. Date last reviewed: 07/27/2006
Content source: Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
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Reducing Personal Risk It is estimated that at least 50%–60% of colorectal cancer deaths could be prevented if all men and women aged 50 years or older were screened routinely.1 Colorectal cancer screening can find and remove precancerous polyps and early-stage cancer, thereby either preventing the development of cancer or detecting the disease at an early, more treatable stage. Precancerous polyps or growths can be present in the colon for years before invasive cancer develops. Some studies suggest that people may reduce their risk of developing colorectal cancer by increasing physical activity, eating fruits and vegetables, limiting alcohol consumption, and avoiding tobacco.2 CDC's Division of Nutrition and Physical Activity supports states by offering programs that promote physical activity and a healthy diet. These programs include 5 A Day for Better Health, which encourages people to eat more fruits and vegetables. References - Selby JV, Friedman GD, Quesenberry CP Jr., Weiss NS. A case control study of screening sigmoidoscopy and mortality from colorectal cancer. New England Journal of Medicine 1992;326:653–657.
- National Institutes of Health. Colorectal Cancer (PDQ): Prevention.
- Vainio H, Bianchini F, eds. IARC Handbooks of Cancer Prevention, Vol 6: Weight Control and Physical Activity. Lyon, France: IARC Press; 2002.
- Vainio H, Bianchini F, eds. IARC Handbooks of Cancer Prevention, Vol 8: Fruit and Vegetables. Lyon, France: IARC Press; 2003.
- Curry S, Byers T, Hewitt M, eds. Fulfilling the Potential of Cancer Prevention and Early Detection. Washington, DC: National Academies Press; 2003.
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The Health Consequences of Smoking: A Report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2004.
Date last reviewed: 07/28/2006
Content source: Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
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