March is National Colorectal Cancer Month

Early detection is the best medicine for colorectal cancer.
Each year, about 57,000 Americans die of colon cancer, making it the second leading cause of cancer deaths overall, according to recent studies.

Like most other cancers, the risk of developing colon-rectal cancer increases with age, according to Henry Rex Greene, M.D., medical director of the Dorothy E. Schneider Cancer Center. “Nine out of 10 people diagnosed with colon cancer are over age 50,” he said.

“The good news is colorectal cancer is a slow growing cancer and, if detected early, is very treatable,” he said.

Yet rates of older adults being tested for this cancer are low. In 1999 only 14 percent of Americans over age 65 were screened for colon cancer despite the fact that these tests are covered by Medicare.

The average age colon cancer is detected is 68, which means that the polyp began to grow 20 years earlier. “With early detection, there is more than a 90-percent survival rate,” the oncologist said, “so if you haven’t been tested yet, ask your doctor about it today.”

Current guidelines by the American Cancer Society call for adults over age 50 to receive one or a combination of the following colon cancer screening options:

Annual home fecal occult blood testing (FOBT). “This test loses all its benefit if it’s not done annually,” Dr. Greene said. “It must be acted upon if results are abnormal or positive.”

Sigmoidoscopy every five years.

Colonoscopy every 10 years

“If you are at higher risk, consult your doctor about how often you need to get tested,” he said.
Prevention is equally important as early detection.

Two recent studies have linked decreased risk for colon cancer with an increase in fiber intake. Those who ate a high fiber diet also were more likely to exercise, smoke less, drink less alcohol, use aspirin more frequently and eat less red meat.

“The amount of meat you consume is a good predictor of whether you are more at risk for colon cancer,” Dr. Greene said. “This is not to say meat is bad, but a well balanced diet is better.”

For more information about colorectal cancer, drop by the Robert C. Siegel Library at the Wellness Center, or click here for a complete library of medical information and link to daily Reuters wire service health news.