Nearly
107,000 colon and 41,000 rectal cancer cases are diagnosed
each year. According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal
cancer is the third most common cancer in both men and
women. Colorectal cancer accounts for about 10 percent
of cancer deaths. Take this true/false quiz with eight
questions to see how much you know about colorectal cancer.
After each question, you will find out if your answer
is correct or incorrect, and information about health
risks and healthy choices will be provided.

The colon and the rectum
are part of the large intestine, which is part of the
digestive system.

TrueFalse

The colon, or large bowel, includes the first six feet
of the large intestine, and the rectum and anal canal
include the last six inches. Because colon and rectal
cancers have many features in common, they are often
referred to together as colorectal cancer. When colorectal
cancer occurs, cells in the colon or rectum become abnormal
and divide without normal control or order, thus forming
a tumor.

Women are at less risk
for colorectal cancer than men.

TrueFalse

The primary risk for colorectal cancer is age, and
men and women are equally at risk. More than 90 percent
of colorectal cancers are found in person over the age
of 50. An additional risk factor is a personal or family
history of colorectal cancer, polyps, or inflammatory
bowel disease.

Smoking and alcohol consumption
will not put me at risk for colorectal cancer.

TrueFalse

Actually, smoking and alcohol consumption are risk
factors for colorectal cancer. And, physical inactivity,
a diet high in fat and/or red meat, inadequate intake
of fruits and vegetables, and obesity put an individual
more at risk for colorectal cancer. In addition, Jews
of Eastern European decent (Ashkenazi Jews) are thought
to have a higher rate of colorectal cancer.

Symptoms for colorectal
cancer may include cramping or stomach pain.

TrueFalse

In the earliest stages, colorectal cancer usually causes
no symptoms. But, when symptoms do occur, they may include
cramping in the lower abdomen or stomach pain. In addition,
symptoms may include:

a change in bowel habits such as diarrhea or constipation

a thin, narrow stool that lasts longer than a few
days

rectal bleeding or blood in the stool

decreased appetite

vomiting

weakness and fatigue

jaundice (yellow coloring) of the skin or eye

Screening for colorectal
cancer is only useful for finding cancer once you have
it.

TrueFalse

Actually, just the opposite is true. Screening is used
for finding problems before they cause symptoms. Screening
tests, such as colonoscopy, can be used to help prevent
colorectal cancer by finding and removing polyps that
might eventually become cancerous. However, experts
say that when a screening test does find colorectal
cancer, and it is at an early stage, the treatment that
follows is likely to be more effective.

For the general population,
experts say colorectal cancer screening should begin
at age 50.

TrueFalse

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) recommends that
people in their 50s and older should be screened, unless
there is a strong family history of colorectal cancer
or polyps. Persons with the following risk factors should
talk with their physician about screening at an earlier age:

strong family history of colorectal cancer or adenomatous
polyps in a first-degree relative, in a parent or
sibling before the age of 60, or in two first-degree
relatives of any age

family with hereditary colorectal cancer syndromes
such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP, about
1,000 cases yearly), and hereditary nonpolyposis colon
cancer (HNPCC, about two to seven percent of colorectal
cancer cases)

personal history of colorectal cancer or adenomatous
polyps

personal history of chronic inflammatory bowel
disease

For persons at an average
risk for colorectal cancer, screening requires a test
every year after the age of 50.

TrueFalse

For individuals who are at average risk, the American
Cancer Society recommends the following screening and
timetable:

Of these first three options, the combination of FOBT
or FIT every year plus FSIG every five years is preferable.

double-contrast barium enema (DCBE) – every
five yearsor

colonoscopy – every 10 years

An additional test that your physician may perform
is the digital rectal exam (DRE).

I can take steps to prevent
colorectal cancer.

TrueFalse

You can reduce your risk for colorectal cancer by having
regular screenings. In addition, the following lifestyle
choices may lower your risk for colorectal cancer:

eat fruits and vegetables

limit fat, including saturated fat

follow recommended intake of calcium and the B
vitamin,
folic acid

limit alcohol consumption

do not smoke

stay physically active

You answered out of 8 questions correctly.

Remember that colorectal cancer risk can be reduced
with regular screenings. Talk to your physician about
when you should begin screening and what tests should
be considered at that time.

Also important to help reduce colorectal cancer
risk is to incorporate healthy habits into your lifestyle.
Be sure to design a healthy eating plan low in saturated
fats and plentiful in fruits and vegetables. Maintaining
a healthy weight may reduce your risk for colorectal
cancer. Staying active by exercising at least 30 minutes
each day helps prevent colorectal cancer. Be sure
to talk to your physician before starting an exercise
program.