March Is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month!
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) sent this bulletin at 03/03/2014 05:16 PM EST
Among cancers that affect both men and women, colorectal cancer (cancer of the colon or rectum) is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Colorectal cancer screening saves lives, but many people are not being screened as recommended.
If you're 50 years old or older, getting a screening test for colorectal cancer could save your life. Here's how—
- Colorectal cancer screening helps find precancerous polyps so they can be removed before they turn into cancer. In this way, colorectal cancer is prevented.
- Screening tests also can find colorectal cancer early, when treatment often leads to a cure.
When Should You Begin to Get Screened?
You should begin screening for colorectal cancer soon after turning 50, then keep getting screened regularly until age 75. Ask your doctor if you should be screened if you're older than 75.
Some people are at a higher risk than others for developing colorectal cancer. Having any of these things may increase your risk—
- Inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn's disease, or ulcerative colitis.
- A personal or family history of colorectal cancer or colorectal polyps.
- A genetic syndrome such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) orhereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (Lynch syndrome).
If you think you may be at high risk for colorectal cancer, talk to your doctor about when and how often to get tested.
What Are the Screening Tests for Colorectal Cancer?
Several tests are available to screen for colorectal cancer. Talk with your doctor about which test or tests are best for you. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends these tests to screen for colorectal cancer—
- Colonoscopy (every 10 years).
- High-sensitivity fecal occult blood test (FOBT), stool test, or fecal immunochemical test (FIT) (every year).
- Sigmoidoscopy (every 5 years, with FOBT every three years).
Screen for Life: National Colorectal Cancer Action Campaign
CDC's Screen for Life: National Colorectal Cancer Action Campaign informs men and women aged 50 years old or older about the importance of regular screening for colorectal cancer. In 2013, Academy Award® winner Meryl Streep joined the Screen for Life campaign, appearing in new public service announcements. Ms. Streep talks about how much there is in life that we can't control, but says here's something we can: colorectal cancer. She describes her own screening experience, and urges men and women to get screened beginning at age 50.
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