Colorectal
Cancer: Myths and Realities
Myth: There is nothing I can do about getting colorectal cancer.
Reality: Few Americans know that colorectal
cancer may be preventable. A low-fat diet, high in vegetables
and fruits, and exercise may reduce your risk of developing the disease.
Since most colorectal cancer develops from polyps—grape-like growths on
the lining of the colon and rectum—screening methods can detect and remove
polyps before they become cancerous.
Myth: Colorectal cancer is fatal.
Reality: Colorectal cancer is curable when
detected early. Ninety-one percent of patients with localized
colorectal cancer are alive five years after diagnosis (confined to the
colon or rectum). But only 37 percent of all colorectal cancers are diagnosed
at this stage. The remaining 63 percent of patients come to the doctor
when the disease has spread regionally or to distant parts of the body.
Myth: Screening (testing for a disease even if the patients has
no symptoms) is only necessary for individuals who have symptoms.
Reality: Since symptoms of colorectal cancer
are often silent, it is important to obtain regular screenings.
Screening is checking for cancer in person with no symptoms. Men and women
who are 50 or older should get screened regularly for colorectal cancer.
Men and women who are at high risk because they have a personal or family
history of colorectal cancer or polyps, or a personal history of inflammatory
bowel disease might need to be screened before age 50. Talk to your doctor
or health professional about when you should begin screening.
About 75 percent of all new cases of colorectal cancer occur in individuals
with no known risk factors for the disease, other than being 50 or older.
Myth: Colorectal cancer strikes only older, white men.
Reality: Colorectal cancer strikes both women
and men. It is estimated that 67,000 new cases of colorectal
cancer will be diagnosed in women in the year 2000—it is the third leading
cause of cancer death among women. And it is estimated that more than 62,000
new cases of colorectal cancer will be diagnosed in men in 2000. More than
56,000 people will die, more than half will be women (28,000 women/27,8000
men). African Americans and Hispanics are more likely to be diagnosed with
colorectal cancer in its advanced stages.
Myth: Colorectal cancer screening is not covered under most health
plans.
Reality: The Health Care Financing Administration
(HCFA) expanded Medicare coverage in 1998 to include colorectal cancer
screenings. Many commercial health plans also cover the cost
of screening.
Editor's note: March is designated as Colorectal
Cancer Awareness Month. To learn more, visit the website at <http://www.preventcancer.org/colorectal.htm> |