We are now in March and this month is marked for Colorectal Cancer Awareness.

Colorectal cancer - Cancer of the colon or rectum - is a disease that affects both men and women and is nearly 90 percent preventable.

Colorectal cancer screening saves lives. Everyone at the turn of age of 50 should get regular screening for this disease, and by this upto 60% of deaths from this cancer could be avoided. A study indicates that more Africans and Americans typically develop colorectal cancer at younger ages. It is equally common in both men and women - 148,810 cases will be diagnosed in 2008, and an estimated 49,960 people will die from the disease. It is also one of the most easily prevented cancers because it can develop from polyps that can be removed before they become cancerous.

Screening - by way of fecal occult blood test (FOBT), flexible sigmoidoscopy, and colonoscopy - is critical because colorectal cancer often occurs with no symptoms. Symptoms do sometimes present themselves in the later stages of the disease and include rectal bleeding, bright red blood in or on the stool, change in bowel habits, stools that are narrower than usual, general stomach discomfort, diarrhea, constipation, frequent gas pains, unexplained weight loss, constant fatigue, and vomiting. Persistence of any of these symptoms for more than two weeks warrants an immediate evaluation by an Oncologist.

The general treatment for colorectal cancer are the usual surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.

Prevention represents the greatest control we will ever have over this disease. We can all play a part in eradicating it by adopting a healthy lifestyle that includes diet, exercise and screenings. Today, thanks to advances in cancer research, we know more about how the disease develops and what contributes to cancer risk. We now have better weapons for fighting the disease, including more options for diagnosis and treatment, improved therapies and new technologies for early detection.

In addition to regular exercise and eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, there are other ways that you can protect yourself against cancer, based on your age, gender and family history of the disease. So far as Colorectal cancer you should always remember that prevention is easier than treatment.

In the spirit of this, National Colorectal Awareness Month, experts recommend remembering the following important points:

• Colorectal cancer can be prevented.
• Screening for the disease can identify polyps – grape - sized growths in the colon and/or rectum - that can be removed to prevent cancer from developing.
• The magic age for screening is 50 - unless you have an increased risk for the disease.
• Colorectal cancer is treatable.
• Regardless of your age, know the risk factors, know the symptoms, and know your family history.
• Talk with your health professional about colorectal cancer and your own risk for the disease.

Sources – http://www.preventcancer.org/
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/lrn/lrn_0.asp

From: jayaraman's Site

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. In 2004, a total of 145,083 cases of colorectal cancer were diagnosed in U.S. adults, and 53,580 adults died from this disease (1). Although regular colorectal cancer screening can reduce the incidence of and mortality from this disease, (2) approximately 40% of U.S. residents who should be screened for colorectal cancer have not been screened in accordance with national guidelines (3).

CDC is engaged in a number of activities aimed at colorectal cancer prevention and control, including conducting behavioral research, monitoring national surveillance data, and supporting educational and screening initiatives. CDC established a colorectal cancer screening demonstration program in 2005 for low-income and underinsured or uninsured persons in the United States. CDC also educates the public about the benefits of colorectal cancer screening through its Screen for Life: National Colorectal Cancer Action Campaign. Additional information about CDC colorectal cancer control programs is available at http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/colorectal.

References

1. US Cancer Statistics Working Group. United States cancer statistics: 2004 incidence and mortality (preliminary data). Atlanta, GA: US Department of Health and Human Services, CDC, National Cancer Institute; 2007.
2. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Guide to clinical preventive services, 2005: recommendations of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Rockville, MD: Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; 2005. AHRQ publication no. 05-0570. Available at http://www.ahrq.gov/clinic/pocketgd05.
3. CDC. Use of colorectal cancer tests---United States, 2002, 2004, and 2006. MMWR 2008;57:253--8.