Patient's page.March is National Colorectal Cancer colorectal cancer Malignant tumour of the large intestine (colon) or rectum. Risk factors include age (after age 50), family history of colorectal cancer, chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, benign polyps, physical inactivity, and a diet high in fat. Awareness Month Colorectal Cancer Screening Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States, with approximately 55,000 people dying every year from this disease. Although early detection is crucial, a recent study found that the number of people undergoing routine screening for this deadly disease remains low, at around 29%. Since adenomatous polyps are an early warning sign of colorectal cancer, the detection and removal of these benign polyps Polyps A tumor with a small flap that attaches itself to the wall of various vascular organs such as the nose, uterus and rectum. Polyps bleed easily, and if they are suspected to be cancerous they should be surgically removed. at an early stage may prevent the occurrence of cancer. Recommendations for screening differ depending on individual risk. If you fall into one of the following categories, speak with your physician about colorectal cancer screening. High-risk Patients * Strong family history of colon cancer colon cancer, cancer of any part of the colon (often called the large intestine). Colon cancer is the second most common cancer diagnosed in the United States. . ** Colorectal cancer is present in 3 or more family members. ** Two generations are affected. ** Diagnosis in family member before the age of 50. Moderate-risk Patients * Personal history of adenomatous polyps or colorectal cancer. * Family history of adenomatous polyps or colorectal cancer. * Chronic inflammatory bowel disease inflammatory bowel disease n. Abbr. IBD Any of several incurable and debilitating diseases of the gastrointestinal tract characterized by inflammation and obstruction of parts of the intestine. . Average-risk Patients * Over the age of 50. * A high-fat diet high-fat diet A diet rich in fats, often saturated–animal or tropical oils—fats Adverse effects Arthritis, CA, vascular disease, DM, HTN, obesity, stroke. See Fat, Fatty acids, Saturated fat acis, Cf Low-fat diet. . * Sedentary lifestyle. * Obesity. Screening For average risk patients, it is recommended that beginning at the age of 50, patients should adhere to one of the following regimens: 1. Annual fecal occult blood testing Fecal Occult Blood Test Definition The fecal occult blood test (FOBT) is performed as part of the routine physical examination during the examination of the rectum. . 2. Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years. 3. Annual fecal occult blood testing and flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years. 4. Double contrast barium enema Barium Enema Definition A barium enema, also known as a lower GI (gastrointestinal) exam, is a test that uses x-ray examination to view the large intestine. every 5 to 10 years. 5. Colonoscopy every 10 years. For moderate risk patients, a colonoscopy is recommended every 3 to 5 years, depending on the size and nature of the previous polyp polyp, in medicine, a benign tumor occurring in areas lined with mucous membrane such as the nose, gastrointestinal tract (especially the colon), and the uterus. Some polyps are pedunculated tumors, i.e. . Patients with a first degree relative with colorectal cancer or adenomatous polyps should begin having yearly screening colonoscopies at age 40, or 10 years prior to the earliest diagnosis in the family. Patients with a long history of bowel disease, such as inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn colitis, or pancolitis, are recommended to have a colonoscopy every 1 to 2 years. For high risk patients, genetic testing Genetic Testing Definition A genetic test examines the genetic information contained inside a person's cells, called DNA, to determine if that person has or will develop a certain disease or could pass a disease to his or her offspring. is recommended to determine the degree of risk in each family member; screening requirements are then based on the results of testing. If there is a strong family history of colon and rectal cancers in your family, make sure you provide your physician with as complete a list as possible, and have all family members tested, as well. Approximately 20% of all colorectal cancers are found in people who have had at least 2 close family members with the disease. The information on this page was compiled by the Editorial Office of the Southern Medical Journal, Johnson City, TN. Please feel free to photocopy this page and share it with your patients. Jennifer McKinney, MA |
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