Colon Cancer – What is it? How do you detect it? 50 Years Old or Older? Get Tested Regularly!

Colon cancer is: Cancer of the colon or rectum Your colon: is another name for your large intestine. is about 6 feet long. turns food you eat into waste matter or a bowel movement as it passes through the colon. Your rectum: is the last 8-10 inches of the large intestine. bowel movements travel through the rectum and pass out of the body through the anus.

Cancer of the colon or rectum

Your colon:

is another name for your large intestine.

is about 6 feet long.

turns food you eat into waste matter or a bowel movement as it passes through the colon.

Your rectum:

is the last 8-10 inches of the large intestine.

bowel movements travel through the rectum and pass out of the body through the anus.

Your Colon and Rectum

How long does it take cancer to develop, and what are your chances? In most people, colorectal cancers develop slowly over a period of several years. 10 to 20 years Chances of developing colorectal cancer sometime in your life: A man has a 1 in 17 chance. A woman has a 1 in 18 chance.

In most people, colorectal cancers develop slowly over a period of several years.

10 to 20 years

Chances of developing colorectal cancer sometime in your life:

A man has a 1 in 17 chance.

A woman has a 1 in 18 chance.

Why does it develop? Colorectal cancer usually begins as a non-cancerous (or benign) polyp. A polyp is a growth inside the colon or rectum that is not normal. can be several types. is not always cancerous.

Colorectal cancer usually begins as a non-cancerous (or benign) polyp.

A polyp

is a growth inside the colon or rectum that is not normal.

can be several types.

is not always cancerous.

When Cancer Forms in a Polyp It can eventually grow through the lining and into the wall of the colon or rectum. 95 percent of colorectal cancers grow from cancerous polyps and move into the inside layer of the wall of the colon and rectum.

It can eventually grow through the lining and into the wall of the colon or rectum.

95 percent of colorectal cancers grow from cancerous polyps and move into the inside layer of the wall of the colon and rectum.

Importance of Screening and Early Detection Once a non-cancerous (benign) polyp is removed, it will never have the chance to develop into cancer. Regular screenings for colorectal cancer and removal of polyps Reduce a person’s lifetime risk of dying by 80 percent. When colorectal cancer is detected early It is highly curable!

Once a non-cancerous (benign) polyp is removed, it will never have the chance to develop into cancer.

Regular screenings for colorectal cancer and removal of polyps

Reduce a person’s lifetime risk of dying by 80 percent.

When colorectal cancer is detected early

It is highly curable!

Lower Your Risk of Developing Colorectal Cancer by: Increasing physical activity Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on the majority of days. Not smoking In the USA, 1 in 5 colorectal cancers in men and 1 in 8 colorectal cancers in women may be due to cigarette smoking. Improving your diet Limit your alcohol use. Limit high-fat diets. Limit red, charred, or processed meat.

Increasing physical activity

Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on the majority of days.

Not smoking

In the USA, 1 in 5 colorectal cancers in men and 1 in 8 colorectal cancers in women may be due to cigarette smoking.

Improving your diet

Limit your alcohol use.

Limit high-fat diets.

Limit red, charred, or processed meat.

Age and Race Factors for Colorectal Cancer Age 90 percent of all colorectal diagnoses happen after age 50. Race and Ethnicity Everyone is at risk! Risk Rankings African-Americans Whites Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders Hispanics American Indians

Age

90 percent of all colorectal diagnoses happen after age 50.

Race and Ethnicity

Everyone is at risk!

Risk Rankings

African-Americans

Whites

Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders

Hispanics

American Indians

Personal History Risk Factors for Colorectal Cancer Personal History of Cancer If you’ve already been treated for colorectal cancer, you’re at an increased risk for developing it again. Personal History of Polyps If you have had a polyp removed You are no longer at risk of that particular polyp developing into cancer. If you have had an adenomatous polyp removed, you are more likely to have other polyps in the future. Adenomatous polyps are groups of polyps with abnormal cells that multiply and may eventually become cancerous.

Personal History of Cancer

If you’ve already been treated for colorectal cancer, you’re at an increased risk for developing it again.

Personal History of Polyps

If you have had a polyp removed

You are no longer at risk of that particular polyp developing into cancer.

If you have had an adenomatous polyp removed, you are more likely to have other polyps in the future.

Adenomatous polyps are groups of polyps with abnormal cells that multiply and may eventually become cancerous.

Having Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Type 2 Diabetes Are Risk Factors Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) includes: Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease The overall increased risk of colorectal cancer for someone with IBD is estimated to be 4-20 times higher than normal. Personal history of type 2 diabetes Increases your risk of having colorectal cancer and colorectal polyps by 50 percent

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) includes:

Ulcerative colitis and

Crohn’s disease

The overall increased risk of colorectal cancer for someone with IBD is estimated to be 4-20 times higher than normal.

Personal history of type 2 diabetes

Increases your risk of having colorectal cancer and colorectal polyps by 50 percent

Family History and the Role of Genetics You have a higher risk of developing colorectal cancer if: One or more immediate family members were diagnosed with colorectal, uterine, or stomach cancer Immediate family members include: Parent Sibling Child

You have a higher risk of developing colorectal cancer if:

One or more immediate family members were diagnosed with colorectal, uterine, or stomach cancer

Immediate family members include:

Parent

Sibling

Child

Early Detection Makes a Difference Approximately 56,000 Americans die from colorectal cancer each year. It is the 2 nd leading cause of cancer in the nation. The most effective way to reduce your risk of colorectal cancer is to get screened routinely. Start at age 50. Start earlier if you are at higher risk. Personal health history Family health history

Approximately 56,000 Americans die from colorectal cancer each year.

It is the 2 nd leading cause of cancer in the nation.

The most effective way to reduce your risk of colorectal cancer is to get screened routinely.

Start at age 50.

Start earlier if you are at higher risk.

Personal health history

Family health history

What if something is found? If you have polyps They can be removed before they turn into cancer. Finding and removing adenomatous polyps can decrease colorectal cancers by 60-90 percent. If cancer is found It is often curable in its early stages.

If you have polyps

They can be removed before they turn into cancer.

Finding and removing adenomatous polyps can decrease colorectal cancers by 60-90 percent.

If cancer is found

It is often curable in its early stages.

Don’t want to get screened? Embarrassed? Doctors need to know about changes in your bowel habits or rectal bleeding. Everyone has “private parts,” and it’s important to keep them healthy! Don’t want bad news? Getting screened can find bad things early, which increases the amount of time you can spend with your family. They need you! Doctor didn’t say you need to get tested? Bring it up with him or her – it’s important!

Embarrassed?

Doctors need to know about changes in your bowel habits or rectal bleeding.

Everyone has “private parts,” and it’s important to keep them healthy!

Don’t want bad news?

Getting screened can find bad things early, which increases the amount of time you can spend with your family. They need you!

Doctor didn’t say you need to get tested?

Bring it up with him or her – it’s important!

What test do I take to get screened? There are several tests to screen for colorectal cancer. Some tests are used alone, while others are used in combination with other tests. Talk to your doctor about which type of test is best for you!

There are several tests to screen for colorectal cancer.

Some tests are used alone, while others are used in combination with other tests.

Talk to your doctor about which type of test is best for you!

Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) Recommended to be done yearly Checks for hidden blood in the stool Your doctor gives you a test kit At home, you place a small amount of your stool from 3 bowel movements on test cards. You then return the cards to your doctor’s office or a lab where the stool samples are tested for hidden blood. If blood is found, a colonoscopy will be needed. A disadvantage of this test The test is often negative in people who have adenomatous polyps and colorectal cancer.

Recommended to be done yearly

Checks for hidden blood in the stool

Your doctor gives you a test kit

At home, you place a small amount of your stool from 3 bowel movements on test cards.

You then return the cards to your doctor’s office or a lab where the stool samples are tested for hidden blood.

If blood is found, a colonoscopy will be needed.

A disadvantage of this test

The test is often negative in people who have adenomatous polyps and colorectal cancer.

Flexible Sigmoidoscopy (Flex Sig) Recommended every 5 years Examines the lining of your rectum and lower part of your colon Uses a thin, flexible, lighted tube called a sigmoidoscope It is inserted into your rectum and lower part of your colon. If polyps or lesions are found, a follow-up test is needed. Disadvantages: Patient discomfort – but not painful Only looks at lower part of colon, therefore polyps in the upper colon can go undetected. If a polyp is found, it needs to be followed by a colonoscopy to remove the polyp.

Recommended every 5 years

Examines the lining of your rectum and lower part of your colon

Uses a thin, flexible, lighted tube called a sigmoidoscope

It is inserted into your rectum and lower part of your colon.

If polyps or lesions are found, a follow-up test is needed.

Disadvantages:

Patient discomfort – but not painful

Only looks at lower part of colon, therefore polyps in the upper colon can go undetected.

If a polyp is found, it needs to be followed by a colonoscopy to remove the polyp.

Combination FOBT and Flex Sig Some experts recommend using both of these tests to increase the chance of finding polyps and cancers. It is recommended every 5 years.

Some experts recommend using both of these tests to increase the chance of finding polyps and cancers.

It is recommended every 5 years.

Colonoscopy Similar to the Flexible Sigmoidoscopy except: It allows the doctor to look at the lining of your rectum and entire colon. Done as an outpatient procedure Done with “conscious sedation” An IV line is inserted to help you remain calm and comfortable. Some patients sleep though the procedure. Not everyone needs sedation. Uses a thin, flexible, lighted tube called a colonoscope It is inserted into your rectum and colon. The doctor can also find and remove polyps and some cancers using the colonoscope. It is recommended every 10 years for: Individuals with no family or personal history of colon cancer and no symptoms.

Similar to the Flexible Sigmoidoscopy except:

It allows the doctor to look at the lining of your rectum and entire colon.

Done as an outpatient procedure

Done with “conscious sedation”

An IV line is inserted to help you remain calm and comfortable. Some patients sleep though the procedure.

Not everyone needs sedation.

Uses a thin, flexible, lighted tube called a colonoscope

It is inserted into your rectum and colon.

The doctor can also find and remove polyps and some cancers using the colonoscope.

It is recommended every 10 years for:

Individuals with no family or personal history of colon cancer and no symptoms.

Colonoscopy (continued) … Procedure takes 15–30 minutes. May take longer if polyps are removed. Called a polypectomy A wire loop is passed through the scope to cut the polyp from the lining of the colon using an electrical current. Polyps are collected and sent to the lab for evaluation.

Procedure takes 15–30 minutes.

May take longer if polyps are removed.

Called a polypectomy

A wire loop is passed through the scope to cut the polyp from the lining of the colon using an electrical current.

Polyps are collected and sent to the lab for evaluation.

Double Contrast Barium Enema (DCBE) This test allows the doctor to see an x-ray image of the rectum and entire colon. First you are given an enema with a liquid called barium that flows from a tube into your colon, followed by an air enema. The barium and air create an outline around your colon, allowing the doctor to see if anything is wrong. Recommended every 10 years. Many disadvantages: Detects only 50 percent of adenomatous polyps greater than 1 cm in size and only 33 percent of polyps .5 cm in size May miss up to 15 percent of colorectal cancers Does not allow removal of polyps

This test allows the doctor to see an x-ray image of the rectum and entire colon.

First you are given an enema with a liquid called barium that flows from a tube into your colon, followed by an air enema.

The barium and air create an outline around your colon, allowing the doctor to see if anything is wrong.

Recommended every 10 years.

Many disadvantages:

Detects only 50 percent of adenomatous polyps greater than 1 cm in size and only 33 percent of polyps .5 cm in size

May miss up to 15 percent of colorectal cancers

Does not allow removal of polyps

Worried about How Much It Will Cost? If you are 50 years old or older and have Medicare You are eligible for colorectal screenings! For more information, call or visit: 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4277) http://medicare.gov/Health/ColonCancer.asp If you have private insurance Most insurers are now paying for some form of colorectal screening Often including screening colonoscopy

If you are 50 years old or older and have Medicare

You are eligible for colorectal screenings!

For more information, call or visit:

1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4277)

http://medicare.gov/Health/ColonCancer.asp

If you have private insurance

Most insurers are now paying for some form of colorectal screening

Often including screening colonoscopy

Think about the future Your family needs you. If you’re 50 years old or older Get screened! You have the power to determine your future! Any questions? Written by Courtney J. Schoessow, MPH; February 2006 Educational programs of the Texas AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age, or national origin. The Texas A&M University System, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the County Commissioners Courts of Texas Cooperating

Your family needs you.

If you’re 50 years old or older

Get screened!

You have the power to determine your future!

Any questions?