| |
|
 |
Early
Detection Save Lives |
The five-year
survival rate for colorectal cancer is greater than
90% when the disease is detected early, compared to
8% if detected late.
Get screened - Even if you feel good. |
|
|
Colorectal
Cancer |
| |
Colorectal cancer (CRC), or cancer of the colon or
rectum, is the second leading cause
of cancer deaths (men & women) in the U.S. The
American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates there will
be 147,500 new cases and over 57,000 deaths due to
colorectal cancer in 2003. But with simple preventive
steps you can greatly reduce your risk of developing
the disease.
|
 |
|
|
If
Detected Early, Colorectal Cancer can be Cured |
| |
Despite its high incidence, colorectal cancer
is one of the most detectable and, if found
early enough, most treatable forms of cancer.
In fact, the five-year survival rate for colorectal
cancer is greater than 90% when the disease
is detected early, compared to 8% if detected
late.1
|
|
|
How
Colorectal Cancer Develops |
| |
Colorectal cancer develops from non-cancer
polyps called adenomatous polyps. A polyp
is a grape-like growth on the inside wall
of the colon or rectum. Polyps grow slowly
over three to ten years. Most people do not
develop polyps until after the age of 50.1
Some polyps become cancerous, others do not.
In order to prevent colorectal cancer, it
is important to be screened to find out if
you have polyps, and to have them removed
if you do. Removal of polyps has been shown
to prevent CRC.1
|
|
|
CRC
Screening |
| |
The American Cancer Society recommends an annual
FOBT (fecal occult blood test) such as Hemoccult®.
With annual fecal occult blood test screening,
death from colorectal cancer can be reduced
by up to 33%.2
|
|
|
What
can You do to Prevent Colorectal Cancer? |
| |
Beginning at age 50, both men and women should
start their screening program, and continue
testing annually. Your physician can give you
a simple take-home test. You will collect a
small amount of stool specimen on three different
days and return the test card to your physician
or laboratory.
The American Cancer Society recommends a FOBT
every year and a flexible sigmoidoscopy every
five years as the preferred CRC screening methods
for average-risk men and women. Patients with
a personal or family history of colorectal polyps
and cancer, chronic inflammatory bowel disease
or certain other forms of cancer may have a
higher risk of developing CRC and should consult
their physician and begin screening earlier.
|
|
|
More
About CRC And Testing |
| |
Because colorectal cancer may take 3-10 years
or longer to develop in average risk patients,
it is important to begin screening before you
have symptoms. If the screening test is positive,
your physician may recommend a follow-up procedure
such as colonoscopy or double-contrast barium
enema (DCBE).
|
|
|
Symptoms
to be Concerned About |
| |
The most important conditions or symptoms to watch
for are:
|
A
change in bowel habits (persistent diarrhea,
constipation or narrowing of the stool)
|
|
Rectal bleeding
or visible blood in the stool
|
|
The feeling
of having to move your bowels that is not
relieved after defecation
|
|
Cramping or
steady abdominal pain
|
|
Decreased
appetite
|
|
Persistent
weakness and fatigue
|
|
Jaundice
|
|
|
|
Beckman
Coulter can Help |
| |
Beckman Coulter manufactures and distributes
the Hemoccult ICT, Hemoccult II, Hemoccult II
SENSA, and Hemoccult II SENSA elite FOBTs (fecal
occult blood tests). Each patient kit contains
complete instructions for preparing and returning
test cards. Over the past 30 years, these products
have been tested and clinically proven to be
effective.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
