Screenings key to success rate
By Kyle LoJacono
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer related death for men and women in the United States, surprising considering how treatable it is if caught early.
“That’s really the sad thing is about 90 percent of the people who have colorectal cancer can be cured if it is discovered before it can spread,” said Dr. Barry Frank, gastroenterologist with Florida Medical Clinic. “Once it spreads, the death rate increases tremendously. About 60 percent of the people who die from colorectal cancer could have been cured, but it was found too late.”
Frank said there are about 150,000 new cases of the disease each year, affecting both men and women.
“There is a misconception that only men get colorectal cancer,” Frank said. “That’s not the case at all.”
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) statistics report 142,672 people were diagnosed with the disease in 2007 in the United States, the most recent figures available. Of those, 72,755 were men, while 69,917 were women.
The same records show 53,219 people died from colorectal cancer in 2007. Of those, 27,004 were men and 26,215 were women.
The CDC statistics show that African Americans have the highest incidence rate of colorectal cancer, followed by Caucasians. Native Americans had the lowest rate.
Frank said the medical world still does not know for sure what causes colorectal cancer.
“We know that eating a lot of red meat may increase the chance of getting it,” Frank said. “We also know that eating a lot of fiber can help to reduce the chance. Anything else is kind of still a guess.”
Frank said the most important thing in preventing the disease is to get regular screenings.
“We are very lucky here because the screenings are very available and they do save lives,” Frank said. “We can go in and remove a polyp before it progresses, effectively preventing colorectal cancer. If it has progressed to cancer, but hasn’t spread, we can easily see that in the colonoscopy and treat it.”
The CDC’s website agrees with Frank.
“Colorectal cancer screening saves lives,” the CDC website states. “Screening can find precancerous polyps — abnormal growths in the colon or rectum — so that they can be removed before turning into cancer. Screening also helps find colorectal cancer at an early stage, when treatment often leads to a cure. About nine out of every 10 people whose colorectal cancer is found early and treated are still alive five years later.”
March has been deemed National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month to spread the word about how screenings save lives.
A normal person without a first-degree relative who hasn’t had colorectal cancer should start getting colonoscopies at age 50, and then every 10 years after that, according to both Frank and the CDC. If someone has one or more first-degree relatives who have had the disease, they should talk with their doctor about possibly starting earlier and having them done more often.
“Of the people who should get screened, only about 45 percent will,” Frank said. “Some are afraid of what the doctor will find, some are embarrassed and some are afraid of pain. There is no pain from a colonoscopy and there shouldn’t be any embarrassment. Everyone over the age of 50 should be getting them regularly.”
Along with traditional screenings, Pasco Regional Medical Center in Dade City is giving away free home screenings for the month. The home-based test detects blood being passed, even if it is too small an amount to see, within two minutes.
Susan Frimmel, Pasco Regional spokeswoman, said the goal is to get people in the area accustomed to getting screenings. If the test detects blood, the person should see his or her doctor for further screenings.
Anyone can request a home-based test by calling (352) 521-1100 or by visiting the facility at 13100 Fort King Road.
