Transcript Breast Cancer - Screening for Life

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?
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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
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→
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
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In 2013, 2,010 new
cases of colorectal
cancer are expected in
Alberta
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Colorectal cancer will
develop in 1 in 13 men
and 1 in 16 women
throughout their lifetime
More Colorectal Cancer Facts
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In 2013, 700 colorectal
cancer deaths are
expected in Alberta
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Colorectal cancer is the
2nd leading cause of death
from cancer in Alberta for
both men and women
combined
What Causes Colorectal Cancer?
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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
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Age
Family history
Ethnicity
Personal cancer history
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Risk Factors You Can Change
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Food choices
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Physical activity
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Body weight
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Smoking
Ways to Decrease Your Risk
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Get screened regularly!
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Eat more fibre (whole grains,
beans, lentils, peas, bran)
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Eat less saturated fats (red
meat, whole milk dairy
products)
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Eat lots of vegetables and fruit
More Ways to Reduce Your Risk
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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…
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Symptoms may include:
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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?
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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
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About 40% of Albertans aged 50 to 74 have been
screened for colorectal cancer – leaving 60%
unscreened!
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To find a doctor
– call Health Link Alberta: 1-866-408-LINK (5465)
– visit: www.informalberta.ca
Colorectal Cancer Screening Tests
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The Alberta Colorectal Cancer Screening
Program recommends the FIT, a home stool
test, every year for everyone 50 to 74
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Other screening tests are available – talk to
your doctor or nurse about what is right for you
What is a FIT?
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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!
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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?
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If the FIT result is abnormal, this means blood was
found in the stool sample
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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
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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)?
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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?
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Encourages men and women aged 50 to 74 to get
screened
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Sends letters to people about their FIT results
1-866-727-3926, www.screeningforlife.ca/contact
What about other cancers?
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There are programs for Breast, Cervical &
Colorectal cancer screening in Alberta
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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?
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If you are 50 and over, talk to your doctor or nurse
about getting screened for colorectal cancer
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Do the FIT home stool rest every year
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Follow-up with your doctor or nurse right away if
you have an abnormal test result
What Else Can I Do?
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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?