March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

10 Facts About Colorectal Cancer

1. Excluding skin cancer, colorectal cancer is #3 diagnosed cancer and the #3 cause of cancer related death in American men and women. (1)
2. There is a 1 in 23 lifetime risk of getting colorectal cancer for men and women combined. (2)
3. About 71% of cases arise in the colon and about 29% in the rectum. (2)
4. Even though colorectal cancer occurs more often in people over 60, the incidence for both colon and rectal cancer is on the rise in people ages 25-54. (1)
5. There are often no symptoms until colorectal cancer is in advanced stages which is why screening is so important.
6. The 5-year relative survival rate for Stage 1 and Stage II colon cancer was 90%; the 5-year survival rate for patients diagnosed at Stage III was 70% and Stage IV was 12%.(3)
7. Last year the American Cancer Society lowered the age of screening to 45 in the person with an average risk of colorectal cancer, but so far they are the only major organization to do so. Most other organizations still recommend African Americans start screening at age 45.
8. Earlier screening is recommended for people considered high risk including those with the following (2):
   • family history of colon cancer/adenomatous polyps, especially a first degree relative and < 60 years of age at diagnosis; screening is usually recommended 10 years prior to the age the relative was diagnosed
   • personal history of colon cancer/adenomatous polyps, ovarian, or uterine cancer
   • Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s/Ulcerative colitis) > 8-10 years
   • family history of inherited colon cancer syndrome such as lynch syndrome (hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer) or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)
9. Colonoscopy is not the only screening test but is considered the gold standard by the colorectal surgeons and gastroenterology organizations. It allows doctors to take biopsies, remove insitu cancers, and tattoo tumors for future surgery. Any other screening test that is positive may require the person to then get a colonoscopy which will be considered diagnostic, not screening. Currently, only about two-thirds of people aged 50 or older, for whom screening is recommended, report having received colorectal cancer testing consistent with current guidelines.(3)
10. Moncrief Cancer Institute in Ft. Worth has free FIT test kits for those who qualify www.moncrief.com/free-cancer-test-kits-available

Note: Though the anus is the last part of the large intestine, anal cancer is different than colorectal cancer. So is appendix cancer.

References:

1. American Cancer Society www.cancer.org
2. Colorectal Cancer Alliance www.ccalliance.org/
3. Colon Cancer Coalition https://coloncancercoalition.org/

* Some statistics vary per organization 

See the attached Colorectal Cancer Awareness Tips and Resources for ways you can promote colorectal cancer awareness.