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Colorectal Cancer and Screening Cancer Screening Programs September 2013 1 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? 2 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” 3 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 4 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 5 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 6 Risk Factors You Can’t Change • • • • • Age Family history Ethnicity Personal cancer history Inflammatory Bowel Disease 7 Risk Factors You Can Change Food Choices Physical Activity Body Weight Smoking 8 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 9 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 10 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 11 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 12 How Do I Get Screened? If you are 50 and over, talk to your doctor or nurse about getting screened regularly for colorectal cancer • 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 13 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 14 15 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 16 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 17 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) 18 Colonoscopy When a FIT result is abnormal, colonoscopy is the recommended follow-up test • A thin flexible tube is placed into the rectum and colon for the doctor to examine the areas. If the follow-up colonoscopy is normal, no colorectal cancer screening is required for 10 years 19 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 20 Thank you! Questions? www.screeningforlife.ca 1-866-727-3926 21