Humana HealthBeat Transcript Archive

Colon cancer is the second leading cancer killer in Americans.

But the good news is that, if caught early enough, colon cancer can be cured, even prevented. But those at greatest risk need to be screened before any symptoms occur.

About 90 percent of people with colon cancer are older than age 50; the risk of the disease increases with age. Younger men and women with close relatives who have had colon cancer are at risk. People with a known history of polyps, which are benign growths of the colon, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, or a history of breast, uterine, or ovarian cancer also have an increased chance of developing colon cancer. Colon cancer also appears to be associated with high-fat, low fiber diet, obesity, lack of physical activity and alcohol consumption.

Generally screening begins at age 50, or earlier for those with family or personal history that puts them at an increased risk.

Stool should be tested for blood on a yearly basis; this is done either during a rectal exam, or the doctor may give you cards to use at home, which then have to be returned to the doctor’s office. A positive test merely suggests that further study is needed; most people will not have cancer.

Sigmoidoscopy, a flexible, lighted tube that examines the rectum and lower colon, should be performed about every 5 years in healthy adults. A colonoscopy uses a longer instrument to examine the entire colon. Colonoscopy is usually reserved for those individuals with a higher than normal risk, or to follow up on an abnormality found on hemoccult or sigmoidoscopy testing.

In the future, less invasive tests, such as those using technology similar to Cat Scans, may make screening a more comfortable experience. Granted, current screening techniques are not the most pleasant tests, but they just might save your life.

March 31
Colon Cancer
	Colon cancer is the second leading cancer killer in Americans. But the good news is that, if caught early enough, colon cancer can be cured, even prevented. But those at greatest risk need to be screened before any symptoms occur. About 90 percent of people with colon cancer are older than age 50; the risk of the disease increases with age. Younger men and women with close relatives who have had colon cancer are at risk. People with a known history of polyps, which are benign growths of the colon, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, or a history of breast, uterine, or ovarian cancer also have an increased chance of developing colon cancer. Colon cancer also appears to be associated with high-fat, low fiber diet, obesity, lack of physical activity and alcohol consumption. Generally screening begins at age 50, or earlier for those with family or personal history that puts them at an increased risk. Stool should be tested for blood on a yearly basis; this is done either during a rectal exam, or the doctor may give you cards to use at home, which then have to be returned to the doctor’s office. A positive test merely suggests that further study is needed; most people will not have cancer. Sigmoidoscopy, a flexible, lighted tube that examines the rectum and lower colon, should be performed about every 5 years in healthy adults. A colonoscopy uses a longer instrument to examine the entire colon. Colonoscopy is usually reserved for those individuals with a higher than normal risk, or to follow up on an abnormality found on hemoccult or sigmoidoscopy testing. In the future, less invasive tests, such as those using technology similar to Cat Scans, may make screening a more comfortable experience. Granted, current screening techniques are not the most pleasant tests, but they just might save your life.

	What are the symptoms of colon cancer? Symptoms such as blood in the stool, change in bowel habits, narrow stools, abdominal discomfort, unexplained weight loss and fatigue, and vomiting should be reported to the doctor. Most likely, it's not cancer, but it pays to be sure. Is there anything we can do to prevent colon cancer? Research has shown that removal of benign polyps prevent colon cancer. These are usually detected on sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy. Some studies suggest that a high fiber, low fat diet reduces the risk. And other research is studying the effects of smoking cessation, use of aspirin, reduced alcohol consumption and exercise on lowering the risk of colon cancer. Resources: Colon and Rectum Cancer Resource Center American Cancer Society www.cancer.org/cancerinfo/load_contasp?st=wi&ct=10 Score Against Colon Cancer American College of Gastroenterology www.acg.gi.org/patientinfo/ct_coloncancer.html Colorectal Cancer: The Importance of Prevention and Early Detection Centers for Disease Control and Prevention www.cdc.gov/cancer/colorctl/colorect.htm Cancer of the Colon and Rectum National Cancer Institute cancernet.nci.nih.gov/wyntk_pubs/colon.htm The Facts About Colorectal Cancer www.gastro.org/fact-cc.html What is Colonoscopy www.gastro.org/colonoscopy.html American Gastroenterological Association www.gastro.org Sigmoidoscopy National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse www.niddk.nih.gov/health/digest/pubs/diagtest/sigmo.htm