Transcript What is Colorectal Cancer?

Colorectal Cancer
and Screening
Cancer Screening Programs
January 2013
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How much do you know about colorectal cancer?
• How common is colorectal cancer in Alberta? (i.e. 1 in X
men and 1 in X women)?
• How many cases of colorectal cancer can be treated
successfully if found early (i.e. X out of 10)?
• Does a diet rich in fruits and vegetables help reduce risk
of colorectal cancer?
• What is a home stool test checking for? Is it a reliable
way to detect signs of colorectal cancer?
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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 referred
to as “Colorectal
Cancer”
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What are Polyps?
• 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
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Colorectal Cancer Facts
• In 2012, 1930 new
cases of colorectal
cancer were expected in
Alberta
• Colorectal cancer will
develop in 1 in 14 men
and 1 in 17 women
throughout their lifetime
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More Colorectal Cancer Facts
• In 2012, 720 colorectal
cancer deaths were
expected in Alberta
• Colorectal cancer is the
2nd leading cause of death
from cancer in Alberta for
both men and women
combined
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Risk Factors You Can’t Change
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Age
Family history
Ethnicity
Personal cancer history
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
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Risk Factors You Can Change
 Food Choices
 Physical activity
 Body Weight
 Smoking
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Ways to Decrease Your Risk
• Get screened regularly!
• Eat more fibre (whole grains, beans,
lentils, peas, bran) and less
saturated fats (red meat, whole milk
dairy products)
• Eat lots of vegetables and fruit
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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
Consider quitting smoking and
snuff/chew and avoiding second
hand smoke
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What about Symptoms?
Approximately 90% of people who get colorectal cancer are 50
and over with no symptoms
If symptoms do occur see your doctor or nurse right away!
• Symptoms may include:
• Changes in bowel movements (constipation, diarrhea)
• Narrow or bloody stools
• Abdominal cramps
• Unexplained weight loss
• Constant tiredness/weakness
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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
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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 30% of Albertans aged 50 to 74 get screened
for colorectal cancer – leaving 70% unscreened!
• To find a doctor
– call Health Link Alberta: 1-866-408-LINK (5465)
– visit: www.informalberta.ca
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Colorectal Cancer Screening Tests
• The Alberta Colorectal Cancer Screening Program
recommends 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
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Home Stool Test
• Also called Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT)
• Finds blood in the stool that is not visible to the eye
• Picked up from your
doctor or from the lab
(with a form from your
healthcare provider)
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A Home Stool Test Every Year
• Small samples of stool are
smeared onto test cards, which
are then returned to the lab
• NO diet restrictions except
Vitamin C supplements
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What does an abnormal result mean?
• If test result is abnormal, means blood was found in the stool
samples
– This does not necessarily mean you have cancer
– Additional testing is needed to determine the source
and cause of bleeding
• An abnormal test may also be due to pre-cancerous polyps,
certain diets or other conditions such as hemorrhoids (piles)
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Colonoscopy
When a FOBT 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.
This test can also be done every 10 years as a screening test
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Alberta Colorectal Cancer Screening Program
(ACRCSP)
• An organized provincial colorectal cancer screening
program
• Coordinated by the Alberta Health Services –
Screening Programs
• Encourages men and women aged 50 to 74 to get
screened
• Sends letters to clients about abnormal home stool
test results in some areas of Alberta
• In partnership with healthcare providers
www.screeningforlife.ca/colorectal
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Resources
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Free to order (visit www.screeningforlife.ca)
Brochures, information sheets
Posters and flyers
Clinical Practice Guidelines
Professional and Educator – clinical/program
information
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Thank you!
Questions?
www.screeningforlife.ca
1-866-727-3926
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