Are you at risk for colorectal cancer?

Leonard Zeabart, MD
Medical Consultants

Q. March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, what is Colorectal cancer?
A. Colorectal Cancer is cancer that occurs in the colon or rectum. The colon is the large intestine or large bowel. The rectum is the passageway that connects the colon to the anus. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer killer in the United States claiming over 56,000 lives each year, however up to 90% of colorectal cancer deaths could be prevented by timely removal of precancerous polyps.
 
Q. How do I determine if I am at greater risk for Colorectal cancer?
A. Colorectal Cancer affects men and women equally. It is most often found in people 50 years of age and older. You may be at a higher than average risk for colorectal cancer if you have a personal or family history of colorectal polyps, or a personal or family history of inflammatory bowel disease – ulcerative colitis, or Crohn’s disease.
 
Q. What steps can I take if I think I am at a high risk?
A. Screening for colorectal cancer is very important. Individuals 50 and older should be screened. Younger patients should be screened if there is a family history of colon cancer or colon polyps, or a personal history of Inflammatory Bowel Disease. Colon cancer affects men and women equally. Screening tests can find polyps (growths that should not be there). Polyps occur fairly commonly as people grow older, and are frequently benign (not cancerous). Over time, however, some polyps can turn into cancer. Screening tests can find polyps so they can be removed before they become cancer. Screening tests can also find colorectal cancer early when it is mostly easily treated. If you are at higher risk for colorectal cancer, you may need to begin screening even earlier than age 50. It is important to discuss your risk factors with your physician.

There are several different screening tests that can be used to find polyps or colorectal cancer. A colonoscopy is considered the gold standard of treatments for screening. Other tests include a fecal occult blood test, flexible sigmoidoscopy, and a double contrast barium enema.

Q. Where can I go to get screened?
You may call (765) 281-2176 or 1-877-421-5200 to schedule a screening colonoscopy. No referral is necessary for a screening colonoscopy. As of July 2001, Medicare will pay for screening colonoscopies. A free fecal occult blood test can be obtained by calling The Cancer Center at Ball Memorial Hospital (765) 741-2938.
 
Q. What local resources are available if I want to learn more?
If you would like to learn more about colorectal cancer, please call The Cancer Center at Ball Memorial Hospital at (765) 741-2938 or you can visit our website at www.thecancercenteratbmh.org. You may contact Medical Consultants at 765-281-2020 or 1-877-421-5200 and ask for Darla Fox, RN, Clinical Nurse Manager of Digestive Disease.

Leonard Zeabart is a physician at Medical Consultants and is a member of the Ball Memorial Hospital medical staff. For more information on Colorectal cancer send an email to info@chsmail.org.

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