WHAT IS COLORECTAL CANCER?
Cancer of the colon (large intestine) or rectum (last eight to ten inches of the large intestine). Most colorectal cancers begin as polyps or tiny abnormal growths on the inside wall of the colon or rectum. Polyps may become cancerous therefore they may need to be removed.
Facts:
Colorectal cancer is the second largest leading cause of cancer death in the United States and in Maryland. Each year, approximately 131,000
Americans are diagnosed and about 55,000 die. In Maryland an estimated 3,000 residents are diagnosed and another 1,100 will die.
Risk Factors:
- Age: There is an increased risk of colorectal cancer beginning at age 50.
- Family History: People with a family history of colorectal cancer or adenomtous polyps have an increased risk of developing colorectal cancer.
- Personal History: People with inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease), or adenomatous polyps are at increased risk of developing colorectal cancer.
Symptoms:
- Bleeding from rectum or blood in stool
- Unexplained abdominal cramps or pain
- Sudden weight loss
- Changes in bowel habits, including narrowing of the stools
**These symptoms can also be caused by other medical conditions. Always check with your doctor if you are experiencing these symptoms.**
Very often there are no early warning signs of colorectal cancer.
Screening is the key to detecting colorectal cancer at its
earliest, most curable stage
SCREENING FOR COLORECTAL CANCER:
Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT):
At-home procedure that checks stool samples for hidden blood, which can be a sign of cancer, polyps, or internal disorders.
Sigmoidoscopy:
Procedure using a flexible, hollow, lighted tube that detects polyps inside the rectum and lower colon.
Colonoscopy:
This procedure is similar to the sigmoidoscope, except an instrument called the colonoscope, is used to view the entire colon, detect and remove polyps which will be analyzed for cancer.
THE HARFORD COUNTY COLORECTAL SCREENING PROGRAM:
Eligibility requirements:
- High Risk (personal or family history)
- Uninsured or underinsured
- Meet income guidelines
To see if you quality or if you would like more information regarding colorectal cancer screening, contact the Office of Cancer Prevention Services at 443.643.0350.
LINKS:
American Cancer Society
http://www.cancer.org/
National Cancer Institute
http://www.nci.nih.gov/
Cancer Research and Foundation
http://www.preventcancer.org/
