Colon Cancer: Catching It Early

American Cancer Society Infographics 2013 I 03 COLON CANCER: CATCHING IT EARLY Despite substantial decreases in colon cancer death rates over the past two decades, it remains the third-deadliest cancer in the United States among both men and women. If it's found and treated early, however, the 5-year survival rate is about 90%. Many more lives could be saved by understanding colon cancer risks, increasing screening rates and making lifestyle changes. 90% 39% 5-YEAR SURVIVAL RATE IF FOUND AT THE LOCAL STAGE DIAGNOSED AT AN EARLY STAGE PARTLY DUE TO LOW SCREENING RATE STAGES OF COLON CANCER POLYP IN SITU LOCAL REGIONAL DISTANT Growth beyond Cancer is now growing in the colon or rectum Cancer has spread to other parts of the body such as liver or lungs Most colon Cancer has cancers develop formed, but is from these the colon or not yet growing inside the colon walls; nearby or rectum walls rectum walls noncancerous and into tissue growths tissue unaffected or lymph nodes WHO GETS COLON CANCER? ANYONE CAN GET COLON CANCER, BUT SOME ARE AT INCREASED RISK 200 150 100 50 HISPANIC/ LATINO WOMEN MEN UNDER 50 50+ NON-HISPANIC AFRICAN WHITE AMERICAN GENDER AGE RACE/ETHNICITY IWOMEN MEN *Age adjusted to the 2000 US standard population WHAT CAN YOU DO ABOUT IT? REDUCE RISK BY MANAGING YOUR DIET, WEIGHT AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY DIET BODY MASS INDEX ACTIVITY LIFESTYLE 18-25 25+ IF YOU'RE 50 OR OLDER; TALK TO YOUR DOCTOR ABOUT GETTING TESTED TYPE OF SCREENING TEST PROS CONS Flexible Sigmoldoscopy Slender tube inserted through the rectum into the colon. Fairly quick and safe Sedation usually not used Does not require a specialist Doesn't view upper 2/3 of colon Can't remove all polyps May be some discomfort Provides visual exam of rectum and lower 1/3 of colon. Colonoscopy Direct exam of colon and rectum. Polyps removed if present. Required for abnormal results from other tests. Can usually view entire colon Can biopsy and remove polyps Done every 10 years Costs more than other tests Higher risk than other tests Full bowel preparation needed Can usually view entire colon Relatively safe No sedation needed Can miss small polyps Can't remove polyps during test Full bowel preparation needed Double-Contrast Barium Enema Radiological exam of colon. Barium sulfate is introduced through the rectum and spreads throughout the colon. CT Colonography Fairly quick and safe Can usually view entire colon No sedation needed Still fairly new test Can't remove polyps during test Full bowel preparation needed Detailed, cross-sectional, 2D or 3D views of the colon and rectum with an x-ray machine linked to a computer. Fecal Occult Blood Test / Fecal Immunochemical Test No direct risk to the colon Can detect blood in stool caused by tumors or polyps. At-home kit is obtained from a health care provider. No bowel preparation Sampling done Colonoscopy needed if abnormal May miss some polyps/cancers Should be done every year thome * For average-risk individuals with no symptoms, screening should begin at age 50. If you are at increased risk or are experiencing symptoms, speak to your doctor right away. Symptoms include: Rectal bleeding, blood in the stool, dark- or black-colored stools, change in shape of stool, lower stomach cramping, unnecessary urge to have a bowel movement, prolonged constipation or diarrhea, and unintentional weight loss. SUPPORT THE AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY 100 years ago, we began the fight of a lifetime. Today, you Learn More l cancer.org/colon can help us finish the fight. When you support the Live Healthy Il cancer.org/nupa American Cancer Society, you join millions of others who are committed to the fight to end cancer. You help save Detect It Early Il cancer.org/colontests lives in your community and around the world. Thank you Donate / cancer.org/donate for supporting these lifesaving efforts that get us closer to a world with less cancer and more birthdays. American Cancer Society THE OFFICIAL SPONSOR OF BIRTHDAYS: Together with our millions of supporters, the American Cancer Society (ACS) saves lives and creates a world with less cancer and more birthdays by helping people stay well, helping people get well, by finding cures, and by fighting back. © 2013 American Cancer Society, Inc. All rights reserved. The American Cancer Society is a qualified 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization and donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. LIMIT INCIDENCE PER 100,000*