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MARCH IS COLORECTAL CANCER AWARENESS MONTH

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Colorectal Cancer Prevention

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It is estimated that at least 50%–60% of colorectal cancer deaths could be prevented if all men and women aged 50 years or older were screened routinely.¹ Colorectal cancer screening can find and remove precancerous polyps and early-stage cancer, thereby either preventing the development of cancer or detecting the disease at an early, more treatable stage. Precancerous polyps or growths can be present in the colon for years before invasive cancer develops.

Some studies suggest that people may reduce their risk of developing colorectal cancer by increasing physical activity, eating fruits and vegetables, limiting alcohol consumption, and avoiding tobacco.^{2 3 4 5 6} CDC's Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity supports states by offering programs that promote physical activity and a healthy diet. These programs include Fruits and Veggies – More Matters, which encourages people to eat more fruits and vegetables.

The risk of developing colorectal cancer increases with advancing age. More than 90% of cases occur in people aged 50 or older.¹ Other risk factors include—²

·         Inflammatory bowel disease.

·         A personal or family history of colorectal cancer or colorectal polyps.

·         Genetic syndromes such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (Lynch syndrome).

Lifestyle factors that may contribute to increased risk of colorectal cancer include—

·         Lack of regular physical activity.^{3 4 6}

·         Low fruit and vegetable intake.^{3 5 6}

·         A low-fiber and high-fat diet.³

·         Overweight and obesity.^{3 6}

·         Alcohol consumption.³

·         Tobacco use.^{3 6 7}

References

¹Ries LAG, Eisner MP, Kosary CL, Hankey BF, Miller BA, Clegg L, Mariotto A, Feuer EJ, Edwards BK (eds). SEER Cancer Statistics Review, 1975–2002, National Cancer Institute. Bethesda, MD, based on November 2004 SEER data submission, posted to the SEER Web site 2005.

²National Institutes of Health. Colorectal Cancer (PDQ): Treatment.

³National Institutes of Health. Colorectal Cancer (PDQ): Prevention.

⁴Vainio H, Bianchini F, eds. IARC Handbooks of Cancer Prevention, Vol 6: Weight Control and Physical Activity. Lyon, France: IARC Press; 2002.

⁵Vainio H, Bianchini F, eds. IARC Handbooks of Cancer Prevention, Vol 8: Fruit and Vegetables. Lyon, France: IARC Press; 2003.

⁶Curry S, Byers T, Hewitt M, eds. Fulfilling the Potential of Cancer Prevention and Early Detection. Washington, DC: National Academies Press; 2003.

⁷The health consequences of smoking: a report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta, Ga.: Dept. of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health; Washington, D.C.

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