http://www.baptisteast.com/healthinfo/Colorectal-Cancer-Screening.cfm
Colorectal Cancer Screening
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer related deaths in the United States. There is a 1 in 16 lifetime chance of developing colorectal cancer. The disease affects men and women in equal proportion. For those persons with a family history of colorectal cancer, the risk may increase significantly. Colorectal cancer has a high survival rate when detected early.
Fecal occult blood testing (FOBT) is one part of colorectal cancer screening recommended for men and women aged 50 or more. In addition to the annual FOBT, the screening colonoscopy is recommended at age 50 and afterward at intervals to be determined by the findings, and the personal and family history of the individual. In some settings, the flexible sigmoidoscopy is performed every five years.
FOBT should be performed on three consecutive stool specimens. To perform FOBT correctly, certain medications (aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories) should be avoided for up to seven days prior to testing. During the testing period, certain medications (Vitamin C in excess of 250 mg per day),) as well as certain foods (red or rare meat, fresh melons, turnips, radishes, and horseradish) should be avoided.
Negative findings of FOBT should be reported to one’s personal physician for the medical record. Positive findings should be brought to the attention of one’s personal physician for follow up.
The FOBT is a screening tool, not a diagnostic tool. This means that the findings of the FOBT should be referred to a physician for interpretation and for follow up as indicated.
(Source: The Colorado Clinical Guidelines Collaborative, August 2005)
Suggested Web sites and sources of information:
Baptist Hospital East's online Health Encyclopedia offers more than 11,000 pages of illustrated health information on a variety of diseases, treatments and procedures.
www.cdc.gov/cancer/screenforlife: This CDC website has a section on the left side for Colorectal Cancer. Several topics may be selected there.
www.mdanderson.org: Type in "cancer screening guidelines" in their search engine.
www.cancer.org: This is the website of the American Cancer Society. From the main page, in the section entitled Health Information Seekers, click on "Prevention and Early Detection". On this page, in the Getting Specific Box, choose "Can Colorectal Cancer be Prevented?"
Baptist Hospital East's Cancer Resource Center also offers help and information on cancer-related topics. Resources in the Center include a lending library of books, video tapes, audio tapes, CD-ROMs and a selection of free brochures on the various types of cancer. Assisted on-line searches with links to the Internet, Oncolink, National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society are available by appointment. The Center also has information on other cancer resources in the Louisville area. An advanced oncology certified nurse is available by appointment to meet with visitors to answer questions about cancer and offer coping strategies. The Center is staffed by Friend for Life volunteers. Friend for Life is a local cancer support network that links newly diagnosed cancer patients with cancer survivors.
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