MARCH IS COLON CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

African Americans Age 50 or Older Are at High Risk for the Disease

During the month of March, the American Cancer Society will debunk the many myths surrounding colorectal cancer (commonly referred to as “colon cancer”), including the myth that African Americans are not at risk for colon cancer. In reality the opposite is true – African Americans aged 50 or older are especially at high risk for colon cancer. “African American men and women are diagnosed with and die from colon cancer at higher rates than any racial or ethnic group in the United States. And despite overwhelming evidence that screening tests can save lives, many African Americans still are not getting tested,” explained Crystal Brown, American Cancer Society Community Executive for Cancer Control.

The American Cancer Society estimates that in 2005 more than 145,000 Americans were diagnosed with colorectal cancer and more than 56,000 died from the disease, making it the third leading cause of cancer death for both men and women in the United States. According to Brown, the number of deaths could have been cut in half if Americans over the age of 50 got tested for colon cancer. (SEE SIDEBAR FOR TESTING OPTIONS)

Colon cancer can be stopped before it starts if precancerous polyps are found and removed during early detection testing – thereby avoiding the disease completely. Brown stressed that it’s important to go in for testing and not wait for symptoms, which may not appear until the disease has progressed into more advanced stages. She also noted that age is the greatest risk factor for the disease, but other risk factors include smoking, physical inactivity, and diets high in fat. “If you are age 50 or over, you need to get tested for colon cancer,” she said.

Talking about colon cancer testing isn’t always easy. However, Brown and Dr. Richard Arenas, of Baystate Medical Center, are ready to talk. On Saturday, March 25, Dr. Arenas and American Cancer Society staff will host a colon cancer information session at 10 a.m. at the Alden Baptist Church in Springfield. Dr. Arenas will explain how to reduce the risk of developing colon cancer, and local colon cancer survivors will share their stories. Registration and lunch are free. For more information and to register, contact Crystal Brown at 413-493-2123 or crystal.brown@cancer.org. For more information, a free kit on colon cancer, and available screening tests, contact the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345 anytime, day or night.

SIDEBAR

The American Cancer Society's guidelines for the early detection of colorectal cancer:

Beginning at age 50, both men and women at average risk for developing colorectal cancer should follow one of these five testing schedules:

1. Yearly fecal occult blood test (FOBT)* or fecal immunochem- ical test (FIT)

2. Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years

3. Yearly FOBT* or FIT plus flexi ble sigmoidoscopy every 5 years**

4. Double-contrast barium enema every 5 years

5. Colonoscopy every 10 years

*For FOBT, the take-home multiple sample method should be used.
**The combination of yearly FOBT or FIT plus flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years is preferred over either of these options alone. n