Colorectal Cancer Resource Toolkit
CBS' Harry Smith undergoes colonoscopy televised live.
Click the above link to view this video.
 Capital Gastroenterology Consultants Promotes Colorectal Cancer Awareness
February 2006 -- Capital Gastroenterology Consultants promotes NATIONAL COLORECTAL CANCER AWARENESS MONTH in the Washington , DC metro area during March 2006. This marks the continuation of a national effort to raise public awareness about colorectal cancer. Read more...
How common is colorectal cancer?
Colorectal cancer primarily affects men and women aged 50 years or older. For men, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer after prostate cancer and lung cancer. For women, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer after breast cancer and lung cancer.
How does colorectal cancer develop?
Colorectal cancer usually develops from precancerous polyps (abnormal growths) in the colon or rectum. Screening tests can find precancerous polyps, so that they can be removed before they turn into cancer. Screening tests can also find colorectal cancer early, when treatment is most effective.
What are the symptoms of colorectal cancer?
Polyps and colorectal cancer do not always cause symptoms, especially at first. But sometimes symptoms include:
- Blood in or on the stool
- A change in bowel habits, such as having stools that are narrower than usual
- Unexplained weight loss
- Pain, aches or cramps in the stomach
If you have any of these symptoms, talk to your doctor. These symptoms may also be caused by something other than cancer, but the only way to know what is causing them is to consult a doctor.
I have a family history of colorectal cancer. How does that impact my risk?
Close relatives (parents, siblings, or children) of a person who has had colorectal cancer are somewhat more likely to develop this type of cancer themselves, especially if the family member developed the cancer at a young age. If many family members have had colorectal cancer, the risks are even greater.
When should I get screened?
You should begin screening for colorectal cancer soon after turning 50, then continue getting screened at regular intervals. However, you may need to be tested earlier or more often than other people if:
- You or a close relative have had colorectal polyps or colorectal cancer; or
- You have inflammatory bowel disease.
Speak with your doctor about when you should begin screening and how often you should be tested.
 What are the benefits of colorectal cancer screening?
Screening increases the odds that colorectal cancers will be found at a localized stage, when the 5-year survival rate is 90%. Furthermore, screening can identify polyps, which if removed can prevent colorectal cancer from developing. If all adults 50 and older were screened for colon cancer, we could cut the death rate from this disease in half - saving approximately 30,000 lives per year .
What is the best way to screen for colorectal cancer?
A colonoscopy is the most effective screening method for colorectal cancer. The test allows physicians to look directly at the entire colon and identify precancerous growths (polyps) which they can immediately remove. This is the only test where physicians can remove polyps without surgery or another procedure. In addition, colonoscopies are painless as patients are sedated.
Who should perform colonoscopies?
Choose a board-certified gastroenterologist or surgeon with extensive experience performing colonoscopies. A gastroenterologist specializes in gastrointestinal diseases and has received specialized training. Non-gastroenterologists are five times more likely to miss colorectal cancer during colonoscopy than gastroenterologists according to research.
Colon Cancer Education Links:
CGC Physician Perform Presidential Colonoscopies
www.cnn.com
www.nytimes.com
Center for Disease Control and Prevention's Screen
for Life Campaign
www.cdc.gov
American Cancer Society's Colorectal Cancer Education Campaign
www.cancer.orgd
Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
www.preventcancer.org
Colorectal Cancer Roundtable
www.nccrt.org
National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance
www.eif.nccra.org
American College of Gastroenterology Resource Kit for Physicians & Patients
www.acg.gi.org
National Cancer Institute's Colorectal Cancer Resources
www.cancer.gov
American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy Colorectal Cancer Education Campaign
www.screenforcoloncancer.org/
NCI's Colorectal Cancer Screening Fact Sheet
www.cancer.gov
Colorectal Cancer Glossary
www.cdc.gov
Colorectal Cancer Grand Rounds
publichealthgrandrounds.unc.edu
Maryland Public Health Colorectal Cancer Screening Program
www.fha.state.md.us
Scope it Out 5K
www.scopeitout5k.com
Colon Cancer Screening Benefits from Medicare
new.cms.hhs.gov
Medline Colon Cancer Resources
www.nlm.nih.gov
Colon Cancer Nonprofits & Support:
Colon Cancer Alliance
www.ccalliance.org
Colorectal Cancer Network
www.colorectal-cancer.net
STOP Colon and Rectal Cancer
www.coloncancerprevention.org/main.htm
Professional Medical Organizations
American College of Gastroenterology
www.acg.gi.org
American Gastroenterological Association
www.gastro.org
American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
www.asge.org
American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons
www.fascrs.org
Society for Gastroenterology Nurses & Associates
www.sgna.org
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