:: Recent News
Monday, October 13, 2008
Coalition highlights concerns over the National CT Colonography study published September 18, in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
We are pleased that Salix has become an active supporter of the Coalition, remarks Steven J.
Morris, MD JD FACP FACG, Coalition Board Chairperson and CEO of Atlanta Gastroenterology
Associates, LLC.
Thursday, September 04, 2008
The National Coalition for Quality
Colorectal Cancer Screening and Care announces the appointment of Randall H. H. Madry, as the
Coalition’s new Executive Director.
Mailing Address for Contributions:
Attn: Membership Department
222 Severn Avenue
Building 7, Suite 3
Annapolis, MD 21403
About Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S. (after lung cancer).*
It is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in the U.S.*
One in 18 people will develop CRC***
Ninety-three percent of cases occur in people age 50 or older*
Despite a recent CDC report that found screening has steadily increased since 2001, about 40% of adults age 50+ do not get tested.*
The risk of developing colorectal cancer increases with age.*
This year, more than 152,000 people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer. And 52,000 are expected to die from the disease.**Estimates by Gender:
Males: More than 79,000 diagnosed; 26,000 deaths**
Females: More than 74,600 diagnosed; 26,000 deaths**
Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of death for African-American men and women in the U.S.**
Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in Hispanic men and the second most common cancer in Hispanic women in the U.S.**
If caught early (in stage I), the relative five-year survival rate is higher than 90%, compared with only about 10% in people with advanced disease.**
Adults with risk factors should be screened before the age of 50. Risk factors include a personal history of colon polyps or cancer; first degree relative with colon cancer or colon polyps; blood in stool or changes in bowel habits; iron deficiency or anemia; Crohns or ulcerative colitis; IBS.**
The new American Cancer Society guidelines list four testing options that are likely to find both polyps and cancer:
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy: every 5 years
- Colonoscopy: every 10 years
- Double contrast barium enema: every 5 years
- CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy): every 5 years
Tests that mainly find cancer:
- Fecal occult blood test: every year
- Fecal immunochemical test: every year
- Stool DNA test: interval uncertain
Colonoscopy is the most effective screening test to detect colon cancer. It is safe, relatively simple and considered the “gold standard” for detecting colon cancer.
For most people, the best way to prevent colon cancer is to maintain a healthy lifestyle and get regular screenings after the age of 50.
Colorectal cancer is highly preventable through early detection with proper screening.
If you are over 50 or have a family history of colorectal cancer, see your doctor to schedule a colonoscopy.
*CDC
**American Cancer Society
***Colon Cancer Alliance
Helpful Topics