FALSE:
Colorectal cancer affects an equal number of men and women.
Many women, however, think of CRC as a disease only affecting
men and might be unaware of important information about screening
and preventing colorectal cancer that could save their lives,
says the American Society fo Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. |
FALSE:
Beginning at age 50, all men and women should be screened
for coloretal cancer EVEN IF THEY ARE EXPERIENCING NO PROBLEMS
OR SYMPTOMS. |
FALSE:
A colonoscopy screening exam is almost always done on an
outpatient basis. A mild sedative is usually given before
the procedure and then a flexible, slender tube is inserted
into the rectum to look inside the colon. The test is safe
and the procedure itself typically takes less than 45 minutes. |
TRUE:
After lung cancer, colorectal cancer is the third leading
cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Annually, approximately
150,000 new cases of colorectal cancer are diagnosed in
the United States and 50,000 people die from the disease.
It has been estimated that increased awareness and screening
would save at least 30,000 lives each year. |
TRUE: These
tests are used to screen for colorectal cancer even before
there are symptoms. Talk to your healthcare provider about
which test is best for you. Current recommended screening
options* include:
Beginning at age 50, men and women should have:
*Important: You may need to begin periodic screening colonoscopy
earlier than age 50 years if you have a personal or family
history of colorectal cancer, polyps or long-standing ulcerative
colitis. |
TRUE:
Colorectal cancer is highly preventable. Colonoscopy may
detect polyps (small growths on the lining of the colon).
Removal of these polyps (by biopsy or snare polypectomy)
results in a major reduction in the likelihood of developing
colorectal cancer in the future. |
RESET
Adapted from Understanding Colon Cancer Screening
Copyright © 2010 American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy |
