Colon cancer screening guidelines: What you need to know

American Cancer Society recommends two new tests

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – March is National Colon Cancer Awareness Month. In this column, Roberta Cahill of the American Cancer Society talks about the new colon cancer screening guidelines. Cahill is Yankton Sioux and lives in Pierre. Her work focuses on cancer education to diverse populations.

Charlotte Hofer: Roberta, can you give us the lowdown on the new colon screening recommendations?

Roberta Cahill: The American Cancer Society and other health groups – including the American College of Radiology and the U.S. Multi-Society Task Force on Colorectal Cancer – just released the first joint consensus guidelines for colorectal cancer screening. This is the first time that a guideline from the American Cancer Society expresses a strong preference for tests that can not only detect cancer early, but also detect precancerous polyps, as those tests provide a better chance for cancer prevention through the removal of the polyps.

Also, for the first time, two new tests are being recommended: virtual colonoscopy and stool DNA. These join the previously recommended screening tests, which include colonoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy, double-contrast barium enema, and different varieties of stool tests.

Hofer: Why does the society still encourage stool-based tests?

Cahill: The society continues to encourage the use of stool-based tests for detection of colon cancer because some patients may not want to undergo – or have access to – an invasive test that requires bowel prep and may prefer to have screening in the privacy of their home. But by giving people more options in testing, it can save lives because it increases the likelihood that people will get screened.

Hofer: Who should get screened for colon cancer?

Cahill: The American Cancer Society recommends that if you’re over age 50 or if you have a family history of the disease, you should get tested. Both men and women are at risk.

Hofer: How important is it to detect colon cancer early?

Cahill: Colon cancer is a killer – this year it will take almost 50,000 lives. But people can drastically increase their chances of survival if it’s caught early. If colon cancer is caught early, the survival rate is 90 percent. Yet currently less than half of colon cancers are caught at this early stage. For colon cancer found in its latest stages, the five-year survival rate is just 10 percent. That’s why it’s so important to get tested and prevent colon cancer before it starts.

Hofer: How does all of this affect Native Americans?

Cahill: Cancer is a concern for everyone. The American Cancer Society reports that Native Americans have higher death rates from stomach, liver, cervix, kidney and gall bladder cancers. And colon cancer takes too many lives in every population. The important thing to remember about colon cancer is that this is a highly preventable disease, if caught early.

Hofer: What can a person do to prevent colon cancer?

Cahill: Certain behavioral factors increase colon cancer risk, such as smoking, drinking alcohol, obesity, physical inactivity, a diet high in processed foods or red meat, and diet low in vegetables and fruits. So, stop smoking and limit drinking, trim up and lose the extra weight, start moving, and eat a healthy diet. These simple lifestyle changes can be powerful in preventing cancer. And be sure to get recommended screenings to prevent and detect cancer early.

Hofer: How can someone find out the cancer screenings they need?

Cahill: It’s easy and takes five minutes online at the American Cancer Society Web site. Just go to www.cancer.org/healthcheck and you’ll find out what screenings you need and when to get them. Remember, you have the power to decrease your odds of getting cancer. So start today!

Editor’s note: The American Cancer Society is dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem by saving lives, diminishing suffering and preventing cancer through research, education, advocacy and service. For cancer information anytime or for information about the Cancer Resource Network, call (800) 227-2345 or visit www.cancer.org. For information about this article, contact Charlotte Hofer, American Cancer Society, at charlotte.hofer@cancer.org.