Diagnosis & Treatment

Did you know?

• Other than skin 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.

Screening Guidelines from the American Cancer Society

Beginning at age 50, both men and women should follow one of the screening options below:

1. Yearly stool blood test (FOBT)
2. Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years
3. Yearly stool blood test plus flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years
   (Of the first three options, the ACS recommends the third option, that is, stool blood test every year plus flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years.)
4. Or you may have:
5. Double contrast barium enema every 5 to 10 years
6. Colonoscopy every 10 years

How is Colorectal Cancer Treated?

• Surgery is the main treatment for colon cancer . Usually, the cancer and a length of normal colon on either side of the cancer (as well as nearby lymph nodes) are removed. The two ends of the colon are then sewn back together.
• Surgery is usually the main treatment for rectal cancer as well. Radiation therapy may also be used as the main treatment or in addition to surgery. There are several types of surgery for rectal cancer.