Colon Cancer Screening
14904 Jefferson Davis Hwy. • Ste. 103 • Woodbridge, VA 22191
The following information is intended only to provide general information and not as a definitive basis for diagnosis or treatment in any particular case. It is very important that you consult your doctor about your specific condition.
Below are Six Questions That Could Save Your Life
(or the Life of Someone You Love):
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What You Need to Know about Colon Cancer Screening
March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) encourages everyone over 50, or those under 50 with a family history or other risk factors, to be screened for colorectal cancer. If you are African American you should have a screening at the age of 45.
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Test Your Knowledge About Colorectal Cancer (CRC) Screening
If you think the answer is true or mostly true, answer true. If you think the answer is false or mostly false, answer false. Answers appear below.
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Colorectal cancer is predominantly a "man's disease," affecting many more men than women annually.
FALSE - Colorectal cancer affects an equal number of men and women. Many women, however, think of CRC as a disease only affecting men and might be unaware of important information about screening and preventing colorectal cancer (CRC) that could save their lives, says the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.
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Only women over the age of 50 who are currently experiencing some symptoms or problems should be screened for colorectal cancer or polyps.
FALSE - Beginning at age 50, all men and women should be screened for colorectal cancer EVEN IF THEY ARE EXPERIENCING NO PROBLEMS OR SYMPTOMS.
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A colonoscopy screening exam typically requires an overnight stay in a hospital.
FALSE - Colonoscopy is almost always done on an outpatient basis. A mild sedative is usually given before the procedure and then a flexible, slender tube is inserted into the rectum to look inside the colon. The test is safe and the procedure itself typically takes less than 30 minutes.
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Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer deaths in women in the United States.
TRUE - After lung cancer and breast cancer, colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer deaths in women in the United States. Annually, approximately 130,000 new cases of colorectal cancer are diagnosed in the United States and 56,000 people die from the disease. It has been estimated that increased awareness and screening could save 30,000 lives each year.
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Tests used for screening for colon cancer include digital rectal exam, stool blood test, barium enema, flexible sigmoidoscopy, and colonoscopy.
TRUE - These are the five different tests used for screening for colorectal cancer even before there are symptoms. Talk to your healthcare provider about which test is best for you. Current recommendations for screening* include:
Beginning at age 50, men and women should have a colonoscopy for early detection of polyps and colon cancer. If there is family history of colon cancer, a colonoscopy is recommended at age 40 or 10 years younger than age diagnosis of the youngest affected relative, whichever is first.
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Colon cancer is often preventable.
True - Colorectal cancer is highly preventable. Screening tests such as colonoscopy and flexible sigmoidoscopy may detect polyps (small, grapelike growths on the lining of the colon). Removal of these polyps can prevent colorectal cancer from developing.
The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy encourages you to talk with your healthcare provider about colon cancer screening and encourages everyone over the age of 50 to undergo the appropriate CRC screening.
For a free information pamphlet on "Understanding Colonoscopy" visit the Patient Information section of the ASGE web site at http://www.asge.org/
Below are Six Questions That Could Save Your Life
(or the Life of Someone You Love):
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
What You Need to Know about Colon Cancer Screening
March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) encourages everyone over 50, or those under 50 with a family history or other risk factors, to be screened for colorectal cancer. If you are African American you should have a screening at the age of 45.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Test Your Knowledge About Colorectal Cancer (CRC) Screening
If you think the answer is true or mostly true, answer true. If you think the answer is false or mostly false, answer false. Answers appear below.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Colorectal cancer is predominantly a "man's disease," affecting many more men than women annually.
FALSE - Colorectal cancer affects an equal number of men and women. Many women, however, think of CRC as a disease only affecting men and might be unaware of important information about screening and preventing colorectal cancer (CRC) that could save their lives, says the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Only women over the age of 50 who are currently experiencing some symptoms or problems should be screened for colorectal cancer or polyps.
FALSE - Beginning at age 50, all men and women should be screened for colorectal cancer EVEN IF THEY ARE EXPERIENCING NO PROBLEMS OR SYMPTOMS.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A colonoscopy screening exam typically requires an overnight stay in a hospital.
FALSE - Colonoscopy is almost always done on an outpatient basis. A mild sedative is usually given before the procedure and then a flexible, slender tube is inserted into the rectum to look inside the colon. The test is safe and the procedure itself typically takes less than 30 minutes.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer deaths in women in the United States.
TRUE - After lung cancer and breast cancer, colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer deaths in women in the United States. Annually, approximately 130,000 new cases of colorectal cancer are diagnosed in the United States and 56,000 people die from the disease. It has been estimated that increased awareness and screening could save 30,000 lives each year.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tests used for screening for colon cancer include digital rectal exam, stool blood test, barium enema, flexible sigmoidoscopy, and colonoscopy.
TRUE - These are the five different tests used for screening for colorectal cancer even before there are symptoms. Talk to your healthcare provider about which test is best for you. Current recommendations for screening* include:
Beginning at age 50, men and women should have a colonoscopy for early detection of polyps and colon cancer. If there is family history of colon cancer, a colonoscopy is recommended at age 40 or 10 years younger than age diagnosis of the youngest affected relative, whichever is first.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Colon cancer is often preventable.
True - Colorectal cancer is highly preventable. Screening tests such as colonoscopy and flexible sigmoidoscopy may detect polyps (small, grapelike growths on the lining of the colon). Removal of these polyps can prevent colorectal cancer from developing.
The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy encourages you to talk with your healthcare provider about colon cancer screening and encourages everyone over the age of 50 to undergo the appropriate CRC screening.
For a free information pamphlet on "Understanding Colonoscopy" visit the Patient Information section of the ASGE web site at http://www.asge.org/
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