Colorectal cancer has long been a disease cloaked in embarrassment and misunderstandings. Some people think that colorectal cancer is not preventable so they do not go to be screened. Other people avoid screening because they believe that if they do get tested and diagnosed with colorectal cancer they are going to die. Some women think that they do not have to worry about this disease because only men get it.
Here are some of the common myths about colorectal cancer exposed. Protect yourself by learning the actual realities of the disease.
MYTH:
There is nothing I can do about colorectal cancer. |
REALITY:
Colorectal cancer can be prevented. Screening tests can detect polyps (grape-like growths on the lining of the colon or rectum) that can turn into cancer. Removing these polyps can prevent colorectal cancer from ever occurring. Starting at age 50, men and women who are at average risk should be screened regularly for colorectal cancer. New research shows that African Americans should begin begin screening at age 45. Men and women who are at high risk of the disease because of personal or family medical history may need to be tested earlier and should talk to their health care professional about when. |
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MYTH:
Colorectal cancer is usually fatal. |
REALITY:
Colorectal cancer is usually curable when detected early. More than 90 percent of patients with localized colorectal cancer confined to the colon or rectum are alive five years after diagnosis. |
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MYTH:
Colorectal cancer is a disease of older, white men. |
REALITY:
An equal number of women and men get colorectal cancer. An estimated 75,810 women and 72,800 men will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer in 2006. African Americans are more likely to be diagnosed with colorectal cancer at later stages of the disease, and at a younger age. |
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MYTH:
Screening tests are necessary only for individuals who have symptoms. |
REALITY:
Since symptoms of colorectal cancer are often silent, it is important to get screened regularly. Screenings test for a disease even if the patient has no symptoms. About 75 percent of all new cases of colorectal cancer occur in individuals with no known risk factors for the disease, other than being 50 or older. If you have a personal or family history of colorectal cancer, polyps or inflammatory bowel disease you may need to be screened before age 50. Talk with your health care professional. |
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Acknowledgements
Funding
This portion of the 2009 National Colorectal Cancer Campaign, moving from awareness to action, was made possible in part with support from Presenting Sponsor sanofi aventis, Sustaining Sponsor Bristol Myers-Squibb, Major Benefactors Roche and Amgen, and Benefactor Genentech.
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