Date post: | 14-Dec-2015 |
Category: |
Documents |
Upload: | nyasia-tenison |
View: | 216 times |
Download: | 2 times |
1
Colorectal Cancer and Screening
Cancer Screening Programs
September 2013
2
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?
3
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”
4
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
5
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
6
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
7
Risk Factors You Can’t Change
• Age• Family history • Ethnicity• Personal cancer history • Inflammatory Bowel Disease
8
Risk Factors You Can Change
Food Choices
Physical Activity
Body Weight
Smoking
9
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
10
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
11
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
12
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
13
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
14
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
15
16
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
17
A FIT Home Stool Test is Easy to do
1. Collect a sample of stool
2. Place a small sample of stool in the FIT bottle
3. Return the sample to the lab
18
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)
19
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
20
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
21
Thank you!
Questions?www.screeningforlife.ca 1-866-727-3926