Download For internal use only – to help prepare Cancer Care Ontario

For internal use only – to help prepare Cancer Care Ontario spokespeople
Colon Cancer Awareness Month – Q&As
1) What is colon cancer?
Colon cancer is cancer of the large bowel (colon), which is the lower part of the digestive system.
Rectal cancer is cancer of the last six inches of the colon. Together, they are referred to as
colorectal cancer (commonly called ‘colon cancer’ or ‘bowel cancer’).
There are many reasons why a person may develop colon cancer, and some are better
understood than others. However, we know that growths on the lining of the colon, called polyps,
can sometimes turn into cancer over time.
2) What is the difference between colon cancer and colorectal cancer?
Colon cancer is cancer of the large bowel (colon), which is the lower part of the digestive system.
Rectal cancer is cancer of the last six inches of the colon. Together, they are referred to as
colorectal cancer (commonly called ‘colon cancer’ or ‘bowel cancer’).
Many people refer to the disease as colon cancer, so for consistency purposes throughout this
campaign, we have chosen to use the term ‘colon cancer’ when speaking to a public audience.
3) What is the impact of colon cancer on Ontarians?
Colon cancer is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in Ontario (after lung cancer). It’s
the second most common cause of cancer deaths in men (after lung cancer) and third most
common cause of cancer deaths in women (after lung cancer and breast cancer).
It is estimated that in 2016, 9,900 Ontarians (about 5,400 men and 4,500 women) were
diagnosed with colon cancer and approximately 3,200 Ontarians (1,700 men and 1,500 women)
died from the disease.i
4) Who should get checked for colon cancer?
People between 50 and 74 years of age without a parent, brother, sister or child who has been
diagnosed with colon cancer are considered to be at average risk for the disease and should get
checked every two years with the safe and painless take-home test, called the fecal occult blood
test (FOBT).
People with a family history of colon cancer in a parent, brother, sister or child are at an increased
risk for developing the disease. These individuals should be checked with a colonoscopy (instead
of an FOBT) beginning at age 50, or 10 years earlier than the age their relative was diagnosed,
whichever comes first.
Some people who have had polyps removed from their colon, as well as people with inflammatory
bowel disease (i.e., Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis), may be at increased risk for developing
colon cancer and may need to be checked regularly with colonoscopy instead of an FOBT.
5) What are the benefits of getting checked for colon cancer?
Screening helps find colon cancer early, when there are no uncomfortable symptoms such as
persistent diarrhea and stomach pain, and when treatment has the best chance of working. When
colon cancer is caught early, nine out of 10 people with the disease can be cured. If colon cancer
is caught after it has already spread to other parts of the body, treating it is harder and less likely
to be successful. For people whose colon cancer has spread, as few as one out of eight will be
cured.
6) How effective is the FOBT, and why is it recommended instead of a colonoscopy?
There is no direct evidence that shows it is beneficial for people at average risk for colon cancer
to screen with a colonoscopy. However, there is direct evidence to support the use of FOBT to
screen people at average risk for colon cancer, as well as more recent research to support the
use of flexible sigmoidoscopy.
A flexible sigmoidoscopy is an exam where or doctor or nurse looks at the lining of the lower third
of the colon. During the flexible sigmoidoscopy, the doctor can also take biopsies (samples of
tissue) or remove abnormal growths (called polyps). As the primary screening test for colon
cancer, both the FOBT and flexible sigmoidoscopy are associated with less risk than
colonoscopy.
7) What are common colon cancer symptoms?
There are no physical symptoms during the early stages of the disease. As colon cancer
develops over time, the following problems may occur:
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A drop in your red cell count (anemia) that is caused by a lack of iron
Blood (either bright red or very dark) in your stool (poop)
Unexplained weight loss
New and persistent diarrhea, constipation or feeling that your bowel does not empty
completely
Stools that are narrower than usual
New and persistent stomach discomfort
8) What can healthcare providers do to promote Colon Cancer Awareness Month?
Healthcare providers play an important role in encouraging patients to get checked.
This month, Cancer Care Ontario is inviting healthcare providers to speak to their patients about
colon cancer screening. It is particularly important for healthcare providers to encourage men
between the ages of 55 and 65 to get checked because the risk of colon cancer increases over
the age of 50 and this group would strongly benefit from finding colon cancer early, before it has
spread to other parts of the body.
9) Are there any regional initiatives or events to promote Colon Cancer Awareness Month?
Cancer Care Ontario’s Regional Cancer Programs are hosting local events to promote the
importance of colon cancer screening. Ontarians can contact their local Regional Cancer
Program to learn more about what’s happening in their area.
10) Where can people get a take-home FOBT?
Take-home FOBT kits are available from healthcare providers. We encourage people to talk with
their family doctor or nurse practitioner about getting checked for colon cancer with a take-home
test.
People without a family doctor or nurse practitioner can get a kit through Telehealth Ontario at 1866-828-9213, community pharmacies and mobile screening coaches. More information on colon
cancer screening is available at www.cancercare.on.ca/colon.
11) Where can I find more information about Cancer Care Ontario’s Colon Cancer Awareness
Month campaign?
For more information about colon cancer screening in Ontario, visit www.cancercare.on.ca/colon.
12) Where can I find out more about Ontario’s colon cancer screening program?
Colon cancer screening is available to Ontarians between the ages of 50 and 74 through
ColonCancerCheck, Ontario’s organized cancer screening program. More information is available
at www.cancercare.on.ca/colon.
13) How can Ontarians learn more about their cancer risk?
Cancer Care Ontario created My CancerIQ to empower Ontarians to be more proactive about
their health. This is an online tool created specifically for Ontarians. My CancerIQ was developed
using Ontario data, making it a unique tool for Ontarians to manage their cancer risk.
The tool teaches people about the factors that can increase or decrease their risk for certain
cancers, including colon cancer, and provides a list of helpful resources.
Ontarians can visit https://mycanceriq.ca/ to complete a cancer risk assessment and get their
personalized action plan now.
i
Canadian Cancer Society’s Advisory Committee on Cancer Statistics. Canadian Cancer Statistics 2016. Toronto, ON: Canadian
Cancer Society; 2016.