Colorectal Cancer & Screening

Sept 2013

Sometimes there are things that may be hard to talk about…

But not talking about them is even harder

What is Colorectal Cancer?

  Cancer that develops on the inner wall of the colon and rectum (large bowel or large intestine) As cancers of the colon and rectum are very similar, they are called “Colorectal Cancer”

What are Polyps?

Colon

→   Pre-cancerous polyps are small growths that may be found on the inner wall of the colon & rectum Polyps can develop and exist over long periods of time without any signs or symptoms before becoming cancer

Colorectal Cancer Facts

 In 2013, 2,010

new cases

cancer are expected in Alberta of colorectal  Colorectal cancer will develop in 1 in 13 men and 1 in 16 women throughout their lifetime

More Colorectal Cancer Facts

 In 2013, 700 colorectal cancer

deaths

are expected in Alberta  Colorectal cancer is the 2 nd leading cause of death from cancer in Alberta for both men and women combined

What Causes Colorectal Cancer?

   There is no single

cause

All men and women 50 and over are at

higher risk

Some people are

more at risk

than others based on personal and family history

Risk Factors You Can’t Change

 Age  Family history  Ethnicity  Personal cancer history  Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Risk Factors You Can Change

 Food choices  Physical activity  Body weight  Smoking

Ways to Decrease Your Risk



Get screened regularly!

 Eat

more

fibre (whole grains, beans, lentils, peas, bran)  Eat

less

saturated fats (red meat, whole milk dairy products)  Eat

lots

of vegetables and fruit

More Ways to Reduce Your Risk

 Lower alcohol intake  Add exercise into your daily life  Stay at a healthy body weight  Stop smoking and snuff/chew and avoid second hand smoke

What about Symptoms?

Approximately 90% of people who get colorectal cancer are 50 and over with

no symptoms

If symptoms do occur…

 Symptoms may include: –

Changes in bowel movements (constipation, diarrhea)

–

Narrow or bloody stools

– –

Abdominal cramps Unexplained weight loss

–

Constant tiredness/weakness

 See your doctor or nurse right away if you have symptoms!

Why is Finding Colorectal Cancer Early Important?

 If found

early through regular screening

, the success rate for treatment is greater than 90%   If found at a

later stage when there are symptoms

, only about 10% of people survive (to 5 years) Screening can also

prevent colorectal cancer

by removing pre-cancerous polyps

How Do I Get Screened?

If you are 50 and over, talk to your doctor or nurse about getting screened regularly for colorectal cancer



About 40%

of Albertans aged 50 to 74 have been screened for colorectal cancer –

leaving 60% unscreened!



To find a doctor

– – call Health Link Alberta: 1-866-408-LINK (5465) visit: www.informalberta.ca

Colorectal Cancer Screening Tests

 The Alberta Colorectal Cancer Screening Program recommends the FIT, a home stool test, every year for everyone 50 to 74  Other screening tests are available – talk to your doctor or nurse about what is right for you

What is a FIT?

  Also called Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) Finds blood in the stool that you can’t see   Your doctor will arrange for you to do the FIT at home You don’t have to change your diet or medications

A FIT home stool test is easy!

1.

2.

3.

Collect one sample of stool Place a small sample of stool in the FIT bottle Return the sample to the lab

What does an abnormal test result mean?

 If the FIT result is abnormal, this means blood was found in the stool sample –

This does not necessarily mean you have cancer

– More testing is needed to determine the cause of bleeding  An abnormal test may also be due to pre-cancerous polyps, or other conditions such as hemorrhoids (piles)

Colonoscopy

When a

FIT is abnormal

, colonoscopy is the recommended follow-up test  A thin flexible tube is placed into the rectum and colon for the doctor to examine the areas.

If the follow-up colonoscopy is normal, no colorectal cancer screening is required for 10 years

What is the Alberta Colorectal Cancer Screening Program (ACRCSP)?

   An organized colorectal cancer screening program in Alberta Coordinated by the Alberta Health Services – Screening Programs In partnership with healthcare providers

www.screeningforlife.ca/colorectal

What does the ACRCSP Do?

 Encourages men and women aged 50 to 74 to get screened  Sends letters to people about their FIT results 1-866-727-3926, www.screeningforlife.ca/contact

What about other cancers?

 There are programs for Breast, Cervical & Colorectal cancer screening in Alberta  There is not enough evidence for screening whole populations for other cancers (prostate, ovarian, skin, lung, etc)

To find out more about your needs, talk to your healthcare provider

What Can I Do Now?

 If you are 50 and over, talk to your doctor or nurse about getting screened for colorectal cancer  Do the FIT home stool rest every year 

Follow-up with your doctor or nurse right away if you have an abnormal test result

What Else Can I Do?

   Talk to your friends and family about getting screened Talk to your co-workers and neighbours about getting screened Talk to everyone 50 and over about getting screened

Colorectal Cancer Screening Saves Lives

Questions?