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Colorectal Cancer and Screening

Cancer Screening Programs September 2013

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How much do you know about colorectal cancer?

• How common is colorectal cancer in Alberta? (i.e. 1 in X men and 1 in X women)?

• How many cases of colorectal cancer can be treated successfully if found early (i.e. X out of 10)?

• Does a diet rich in fruits and vegetables help reduce risk of colorectal cancer?

• What is a FIT home stool test checking for? Is it a reliable way to detect signs of colorectal cancer?

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What is Colorectal Cancer?

• Cancer that develops on the inner wall of the colon and rectum (large bowel or large intestine)

• As cancers of the colon and rectum are very similar, they are referred to as “Colorectal Cancer”

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What are Polyps?

• Pre-cancerous polyps are small growths that may be found on the inner wall of the colon & rectum

• Polyps can develop and exist over long periods of time without any signs or symptoms before becoming cancer

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Colorectal Cancer Facts

• In 2013, 2,010 new cases of colorectal cancer are expected in Alberta

• Colorectal cancer will develop in 1 in 13 men and 1 in 16 women throughout their lifetime

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More Colorectal Cancer Facts

• In 2013, 700 colorectal cancer deaths are expected in Alberta

• Colorectal cancer is the 2nd leading cause of death from cancer in Alberta for both men and women combined

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Risk Factors You Can’t Change

• Age• Family history • Ethnicity• Personal cancer history • Inflammatory Bowel Disease

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Risk Factors You Can Change

Food Choices

Physical Activity

Body Weight

Smoking

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Ways to Decrease Your Risk

• Get screened regularly! • Eat more fibre (whole grains, beans,

lentils, peas, bran) • Eat less saturated fats (red meat,

whole milk dairy products)• Eat lots of vegetables and fruit

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More Ways to Reduce Your Risk

• Lower alcohol intake • Add exercise into your daily life • Stay at a healthy body weight• Consider quitting smoking and

snuff/chew and avoiding second hand smoke

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What about Symptoms? Approximately 90% of people who get colorectal cancer are 50 and over with no symptoms

If symptoms do occur see your doctor or nurse right away!• Symptoms may include:

• Changes in bowel movements (constipation, diarrhea)• Narrow or bloody stools• Abdominal cramps• Unexplained weight loss• Constant tiredness/weakness

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Why is Finding Colorectal Cancer Early Important?

• If found early through regular screening, the success rate for treatment is greater than 90%

• If found at a later stage when there are symptoms, only about 10% of people survive (to 5 years)

• Screening can also prevent colorectal cancer by removing pre-cancerous polyps

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How Do I Get Screened?

• About 40% of Albertans aged 50 to 74 get screened for colorectal cancer – leaving 60% unscreened!

• To find a doctor– call Health Link Alberta: 1-866-408-LINK (5465)– visit: www.informalberta.ca

If you are 50 and over, talk to your doctor or nurse about getting screened regularly for colorectal cancer

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Colorectal Cancer Screening Tests

• The Alberta Colorectal Cancer Screening Program recommends a FIT home stool test every year for everyone 50 to 74

• Other screening tests are available – talk to your doctor or nurse about what is right for you

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What is a FIT Home Stool Test?

• FIT is also called a Fecal Immunochemical Test• It finds blood in the stool that is not visible to the

eye

• You can pick up the FIT from a lab (with a form from your healthcare provider)

• You do not have to change your diet or medications for the test

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A FIT Home Stool Test is Easy to do

1. Collect a sample of stool2. Place a small sample of stool in

the FIT bottle3. Return the sample to the lab

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What does an abnormal FIT result mean?

• If the FIT result is abnormal, this means blood was found in the stool sample– This does not necessarily mean you have cancer – Additional testing is needed to determine the source

and cause of bleeding• An abnormal test may also be due to pre-cancerous polyps,

or other conditions such as hemorrhoids (piles)

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Colonoscopy

• A thin flexible tube is placed into the rectum and colon for the doctor to examine the areas.

When a FIT result is abnormal, colonoscopy is the recommended follow-up test

If the follow-up colonoscopy is normal, no colorectal cancer screening is required for 10 years

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Alberta Colorectal Cancer Screening Program (ACRCSP)

• An organized provincial colorectal cancer screening program

• Coordinated by the Alberta Health Services – Screening Programs

• Encourages men and women aged 50 to 74 to get screened

• Sends letters to clients about their FIT result• In partnership with healthcare providers

www.screeningforlife.ca/colorectal

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Thank you!

Questions?www.screeningforlife.ca 1-866-727-3926