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COLON CANCER Protect yourself Know the facts. your name your organization date. A presentation of ( name of your organization ) in collaboration with the Kentucky Cancer Program. 4 things to know about colon cancer.
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COLON CANCER Protect yourself Know the facts your name your organization date A presentation of ( name of your organization ) in collaboration with the Kentucky Cancer Program
4 things to know about colon cancer • All Kentuckians age 50 and older should get regular colon cancer checks. • Early colon cancer may have no symptoms. • 9 out of 10 colon cancers may be prevented or cured with regular checks. • Talk to your doctor about colon cancer screening.
The problem in Kentucky • Colon cancer is second only to lung cancer as a cause of cancer deaths in Kentucky. • Some 2,500 Kentuckians are diagnosed with colon cancer every year and nearly 900 die from it. • Kentucky has one of the highest colon cancer death rates in the nation.
Symptoms • Early colon cancer may have no symptoms. • When colorectal cancer is more advanced, common symptoms may include • blood in the stool • a change in bowel habits • cramps • weight loss • a tired feeling • nausea
Risk factors • Age: More than 90 percent of people who get colorectal cancer are age 50 or older. • Smoking: Smokers have a 30 to 40 percent higher risk than nonsmokers of developing the disease. • Other risk facts may include • Inflammatory bowel disease • Certain hereditary syndromes • A personal history or family history of colon polyps or colon cancer
Polyps • Polyps are small growths in the lining of the colon or rectum. • Most polyps are not cancer, but some may change into cancer over time. • Colon cancer often begins as a polyp.
Screening • Colon cancer screening saves lives. • The most common colon cancer screening tests include • fecal occult blood test • flexible sigmoidoscopy • Colonoscopy • double contrast barium enema
Screening • Screening can find cancer early, when it is easiest to treat. • It also can find polyps in the colon or rectum. The doctor can remove polyps to prevent cancer from developing. • Screening for colon cancer is especially important because the disease usually has no symptoms at first.
Screening • All Kentuckians age 50 and older should get regular colon cancer checks. • Younger people with other risk factors should talk to their doctor about when and how often to be screened. • 9 out of 10 colon cancers may be prevented or cured with regular checks.
Screening • Most insurance plans cover colon screening tests for people age 50 or older. • Medicare covers colon cancer screening for people 65 or older. • In Kentucky, only about 50 percent of people who should have screening tests have done so.
Prevention • Talk to your doctor about colon cancer screening. • Eat a healthy diet. • Exercise for 30-45 minutes at least five days a week. • Stay at a healthy weight. • If you drink alcohol, have no more than one drink a day.
Resources • National • National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Information Service, 1-800-4-CANCER, www.cancer.gov • American Cancer Society, 1-800-ACS-2345,www.cancer.org • Local • Kentucky Cancer Program, (859) 219-0772, www.kcp.uky.edu • Kentucky Department for Public Health Colon Cancer Screening Program,http://chfs.ky.gov/dph/ColonCancer.htm
4 things to remember about colon cancer • All Kentuckians age 50 and older should get regular colon cancer checks. • Early colon cancer may have no symptoms. • 9 out of 10 colon cancers may be prevented or cured with regular checks. • Talk to your doctor about colon cancer screening.