Disease Profile: Colon Cancer

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Disease Profile Colon Cancer
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INTRODUCTION
The American Cancer Society guidelines recommend
that, barring any family/genetic history of
colon cancer or obvious symptoms, an
initial Screening should be done at age 50 and
then at regular intervals thereafter.
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BACKGROUND FACTS

• This type of cancer occurs in both men and women
  so everyone must receive regular screening tests
• -Colon cancer is the third most prevalent cancer
  (after skin and lung) yet it has very strong 5
  year survival rates (90) if found at an early
  stage. However, less than 40 of colon cancers
  are caught at this early stage
• -Genetic factors have been shown to play an
  important role in occurrence so a knowledge of
  family history is essential.

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There are some risk factors that can be
controlled and modified to reduce your chance of
getting colon cancer. But many are
uncontrollable and therefore education is a key
to early detection and survival.
RISK FACTORS

• Age Occurrence rises significantly after age 50
  (90 of diagnosed)
• Family History Relatives of those with colon
  cancer are at increased risk
• of developing the disease. This includes family
  members with related conditions such as
  intestinal polyps.
• 3. Personal history Even if an earlier incidence
  of cancer was removed, new cancers may develop.
  History includes any occurrence of related
  conditions such as intestinal polyps.
• Diet A diet consisting mainly of high fat foods,
  especially animal products, increases a persons
  risk for the disease. A diet high in
  vegetable/fruit intake is best and the ACS also
  recommends 400mg of folic acid per day.
• Physical Activity People who avoid getting
  regular exercise of any type are at higher risk
  for the condition.
• Weight Extremely obese people have a higher
  incidence of colon cancer than non-obese people.
  This has potentially been linked to obese people
  having slower metabolisms than non-obese people.

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As colon cancer is treatable if caught early on,
a knowledge of the symptoms and a relationship
with a physician are necessary to ensure that
proper screenings are received.
SYMPTOMS
-Change in bowel habits that lasts more than a
week or so -Blood in the stool or rectal
bleeding -Cramps and/or strong abdominal pain
that do not recede -Decreased appetite -Weakness
and/or fatigue -Jaundice (yellowing of the skin
and in the whites of the eyes
Note Some of the symptoms are often mistaken for
other less serious problems. If the symptoms
persist, make sure to see your physician to rule
out a serious condition like cancer.
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While some tests are more complete than others,
these are usually more invasive and more
expensive (some MCOs will not cover them without
symptoms or a family history). Yet receiving
even the simplest screening test can be
beneficial in catching the disease at a treatable
stage.
SCREENING METHODS
-Fecal Occult Blood test This test screens for
blood in the stool. Recommended yearly after age
50. Pros -minimally invasive -least
expensive -covered by almost all MCOs -has
been shown to reduce number of deaths from colon
cancer Cons -can miss certain types of cancers
because only 1/3 of all colon cancers bleed
-must be done with other tests (usually a
Sigmoidoscopy) because colon cancer is not the
only condition that causes blood in the stool
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SCREENING METHODS, continued
Sigmoidoscopy A flexible scope is used to view
the lower part of the colon for cancer and/or
polyps. Recommended every 3-5 years after age
50 Pros -relatively inexpensive (100-200) so
most MCOs will cover it -can provide a better
view than the FOB test Cons -significantly
more invasive than the FOB test but still done
without anesthesia -Short length of scope can
not view the entire colon and therefore may
miss some growths -it is only a
detection/viewing test
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SCREENING METHODS, continued
Double Contrast Barium Enema A radioactive
tracer dye is introduced into the patient and an
X-ray is then used to look at the colon.
Recommended every 5-10 years. Pros -can give a
clearer view of the entire colon than a
sigmoidoscopy -some patients consider it
less invasive -is relative inexpensive
(200-400) so some MCOs may cover
it Cons -Most MCOs will not cover it unless
the patient has a family history or shows
symptoms of cancer -is still only a
detection/viewing test -the patient must go on
a liquid diet for 24 hours before the test
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SCREENING METHODS, continued
Colonoscopy A flexible scope that is
considerably longer than the sigmoidoscope and is
used to view the entire colon. Recommended every
10 years Pros -is the only test that can
actually remove growths/polyps found in the
colon. -gives the best possible view of the
colon out of all the tests Cons -expensive
(1000) and therefore MCOs will not cover it
without symptoms or a family
history -significantly more invasive test,
requires the patient to be mildly sedated
-there is a slight risk of internal damage
from the scope itself during the test
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TREATMENT OPTIONS
Depending on the stage of the cancer, its
localization (whether it has spread to other
organs), and other factors there are a number of
treatment options available for diagnosed
patients. These include surgery to remove all
growths, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy.
These treatment need to be discussed with a
qualified oncologist before the appropriate
course of action can be determined
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RECOMMENDATIONS
-Based on your answers to the HRA questions you
stated that -You are over age 50 -You do not
know if there is a family history of colon
cancer -You have not had any preventive
screening tests in the last number of years -You
should immediately make an appointment to see
your physician to discuss which screening test is
appropriate given your personal and family
medical history. -In the meantime Continue to
eat a healthy diet, take 400mg of Folic Acid per
day, and continue to exercise regularly. -We
will begin sending you regular updates (every 2
weeks) to see if you have had a screening test
for colon cancer. This will continue until you
have seen your physician and have had a test done.