Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer - cancer of the colon or rectum - is generally referred to as one disease, although the treatment for both diseases is different, and colon cancer is about three times more common than rectal cancer. Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer found in men and women in this country. The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be about 106,370 new cases of colon cancer and 40,570 new cases of rectal cancer in 2004 in the United States. Combined, they will cause about 56,730 deaths. But colorectal cancer can be successfully treated: When detected early, before it has spread, the 5-year survival rate is about 90 percent.

Would you like more information on colorectal cancer, including a special interactive CD-ROM from the National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance? Call 1-800-641-2422 or CLICK HERE.

Who’s at risk?

People over the age of 50 (but can occur at younger ages).

Who’s at higher risk?

People of any age with personal history of:

• Colorectal polyps
• Colorectal cancer
• Inflammatory bowel disease

People of any age with family history of:

• Colorectal polyps
• Colorectal cancer
• Familiar adenomatus polyps (FAP)
• Hereditary non-polypsis colon cancer (HNPCC)

How to lower your risk

A healthy lifestyle and regular screening can help to lower your risk for colorectal cancer.

• Remember that screening for colorectal cancer saves lives! Begin regular screening at age 50. Talk to your doctor about your risk factors and the need for earlier screening.
• Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables each day.
• Eat whole-grain foods.
• Reduce the fat in your diet.
• Exercise! Talk with your doctor about an exercise program for you.
• Limit alcohol consumption and don’t smoke.
• Maintain your suggested body weight.

The following symptoms may indicate colorectal cancer. If you experience any of these symptoms, it is important that you see your doctor for further evaluation.

• Blood in stool (bright red or very dark)
• Rectal bleeding
• Change in bowel habits
• Frequent constipation
• Frequent diarrhea
• Feeling that bowel is not emptying completely
• Stools that are narrower than usual (pencil thin)
• Abdominal discomfort - frequent gas pains, bloating, fullness and/or cramps
• Unexplained weight loss

Often there are no symptoms of colorectal cancer. Regular screening is the best way to find polyps before they become cancerous or to detect cancers early.

For people age 50 and over:

• Yearly digital rectal examination (DRE) by a physician and
• Yearly fecal occult blood test
• With sigmoidoscopy every 5 years
• Or colonoscopy every 10 years
• Or double contrast barium enema every 5 years.

People at higher risk for colorectal cancer should talk with their doctor about a more stringent screening schedule, including a regular colonoscopy.

At University Hospital of Cleveland's Ireland Cancer Center, experts in colorectal cancer ensure that patients receive the most up-to-date diagnostics and treatment - and other advantages too.

The Ireland Cancer Center is northern Ohio's only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center, where advanced research and clinical services allow us to offer patients access to the most sophisticated innovative methods of cancer diagnosis, treatment, prevention and research. The Ireland Cancer Center participates in numerous clinical trials to study the effectiveness of new treatment options for colorectal cancer.

Would you like more information on colorectal cancer, including a special interactive CD-ROM from the National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance? Call 1-800-641-2422 orCLICK HERE.

Researchers at the Ireland Cancer Center and the Department of Genetics at Case Western Reserve University are conducting a genetic study of families that have had colon cancer or colon polyps. Funded by the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health, the goal of the study is to identify new genes related to the development of colon cancer or colon polyps in families.

All adults who have had colon cancer or colon polyps before the age of 65 and have at least one living brother or sister are potentially eligible to enter the study. Living parents, brothers and sisters of individuals who have had colon cancer or polyps are eligible as well.

Study participants will be asked to give a sample of blood to help researchers find new genes related to colon cancer in families. For more information about the study, call 216-368-0497 or 877-993-9936. You can also click here.

To learn more about the Ireland Cancer Center, click here.

For information regarding University Hospitals of Cleveland or University Hospitals Health System, click here.

This information does not replace the need for appropriate colorectal cancer screening methods and discussion of other health matters with your personal physician.

All statistics cited are from the American Cancer Society 2004 Facts & Figures.

University Hospitals Ireland Cancer Center offers many treatments and services at the main hospital campus and at the following community-based cancer centers to bring our exceptional level of comprehensive care and convenience to cancer patients and their families.

University Hospitals of Cleveland
Ireland Cancer Center
11100 Euclid Avenue
Cleveland, Ohio 44106
1-800-641-2422 or 216-844-5432

Lake/University Ireland Cancer Center
Mentor Medical Campus
9485 Mentor Avenue
Mentor, Ohio 44060
440-205-5755

UHHS Chagrin Highlands
Ireland Cancer Center
3909 Orange Place
Orange Village, Ohio 44122
216-896-1750

UHHS Geauga Regional Hospital
Ireland Cancer Center
13207 Ravenna Road
Chardon, Ohio 44024
440-285-6121

Mercy Medical Center
Ireland Cancer Center
1320 Mercy Drive NW
Canton, Ohio 44708
330-430-2753

Southwest General Health Center
Ireland Cancer Center
18697 Bagley Road
Middleburg Heights, Ohio 44130
440-816-6051

UHHS Westlake
Ireland Cancer Center
960 Clague Road
Westlake, Ohio 44145
440-250-2001

Ireland Cancer Center
at Community Health Partners
42101 Schadden Road
Elyria, Ohio 44035
440-324-0480

Call the UHHS-affiliated center closest to you for more information about mammography screening.