Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths; March is awareness month

March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month. Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. Hundreds of Nebraskans die each year from this type of cancer that is preventable, treatable and beatable.

Colorectal cancer screening is the answer to saving lives. Approximately 60 percent of colorectal cancer deaths could be prevented if people age 50 and older are screened routinely. For the month of March, the Panhandle Public Health District is working with partners in the Panhandle Cancer Coalition and the Nebraska Colon Cancer Screening Program to increases awareness and to make sure that more individuals are screened for colon cancer by offering free fecal occult blood test (FOBT) kits.

“An FOBT kit is simple, free and it’s an important step in preventing cancer,” explained Becky Corman, coordinator of the Panhandle Cancer Coalition.

Corman went on to say that as soon as a person turns 50, he or she should get screened at regular intervals. “You may need to be tested earlier or more often than other people if you or a close relative have had colorectal polyps or colorectal cancer, or if you have inflammatory bowel disease,” she added.

Any Panhandle resident over the age of 50 or those who have concerns regarding colorectal cancer risks or symptoms may call 855-227-2217 for a free FOBT kit. The kit is simple and can be completed in the privacy of your own home. You can mail the kit into a laboratory and then the results will be mailed to you and your doctor. “If the FOBT kit indicates there is blood in the stool, a follow-up colonoscopy is recommended. We will assist with planning follow-up care is needed,” Corman stated.

“Getting a screening test for colorectal cancer could save your life,” Corman concluded.

For a free colon cancer screening kit contact Panhandle Public Health District at 855-227-2217. Free screening kits are also available at Nein Pharmacy and Sonny’s Pharmacy in Bridgeport, Shopko Pharmacy in Alliance, Stockman’s Pharmacy in Oshkosh and Western Drug in Sidney.

Furthermore, about three percent of colorectal cancer cases are due to an inherited condition known as Lynch syndrome (sometimes referred to as hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer or HNPCC). People with this condition have a greatly increased chance of developing colorectal cancer, especially if the person is less than 50 years of age. Parents, children, sisters, and brothers of people with Lynch syndrome have a 50 percent chance of having this condition. Other blood relatives such as grandparents, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews are also at increased risk to have Lynch syndrome.

Genetic testing is used to find out if a person’s colorectal cancer is hereditary (caused by an inherited gene change), so that family members can learn if they are also at increased risk. This could help to protect them from getting this disease. Several different genetic testing strategies are available for Lynch syndrome; including: screening of tumor tissue samples and/or diagnostic testing of DNA from non-cancerous tissue samples and screening of tumor tissue samples and/or diagnostic testing of DNA from non-cancerous tissue samples.

The Evaluation of Genomics in Practice and Prevention (EGAPP) Working Group found good scientific evidence to show that if individuals with colorectal cancer are found through genetic testing to have Lynch syndrome, their family members can benefit by undergoing genetic testing to learn if they are also at increased genetic risk and by having earlier and more frequent screening, which can prevent colorectal cancer, if the person is at increased genetic risk.

At this time, there is insufficient evidence to specify which genetic testing strategy works best.

The EGAPP Working Group concluded that all people with a new diagnosis of colorectal cancer should be offered counseling and educational materials about genetic testing for Lynch syndrome.

Although the EGAPP recommendation did not address use of testing in other situations, people with colorectal cancer diagnosed in the past (especially those people under age 50), and/or people with several family members who have colorectal and/or uterine cancer may also benefit from genetic evaluation for Lynch syndrome.

In addition to talking with your health care provider, you may find more information about colon cancer, Lynch Syndrome and genetics at the web sites below:

http://www.ghr.nlm.nih.gov/condition/lynch-syndrome

http://www.pphd.org

http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/UnderstandingCancer/genetesting

http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/colorectal/

Possible symptoms of colon cancer:

• Blood in or on the stool

• A change in bowel habits

• General, unexplained stomach discomfort

• Frequent gas pains or indigestion

• Unexplained weight loss

• Chronic fatigue

Risk Factors:

• Eating a low-fiber, high-fat diet

• Being overweight

• Smoking

• An inactive lifestyle

• Certain hereditary conditions, such as the tendency to have colon polyps

• A family history of colon cancer, especially parents or siblings