March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, a time set aside to remind all men and women to speak with their healthcare providers about getting screened for the disease. By finding cancer or polyps that may become cancer early, it is easier to treat and possibly cure.

According to the American Cancer Society, colon cancer is the third leading cause of cancer deaths for men and women. It is estimated that approximately 146,970 new cases are expected to occur this year, and nearly 50,000 people will lose their lives to the disease. However, the number of cases and deaths from colorectal cancer has declined over the past 15 years in large part because of colorectal cancer screening, which can detect polyps before they turn into cancer. For both men and women at average risk for colorectal cancer, the American Cancer Society recommends screening begin at age 50 with one of five options:

1. Yearly stool blood test (FOBT) or fecal immunochemical test (FIT)
2. Flexible sigmoidoscopy (flex-sig) every five years
3. Yearly stool blood test plus flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years
4. Double contrast barium enema every five years
5. Colonoscopy every 10 years

For people with certain risk factors, screening should begin earlier or be done more often. While the exact cause of colorectal cancer is unknown, risk factors for the disease include:

• Age – chances of being diagnosed with colorectal cancer increase as a person gets older 
• Family history – having close relatives with the colorectal cancer increases a person’s risk of developing the disease 
• Diet – diets high in fat and low in calcium, folate and fiber may increase the risk
• Ethnicity – Jews of Eastern European descent have a higher rate of colon cancer
• Genetic alterations – certain family syndromes that involve family members having hundreds of polyps in their colon or rectum may make someone more likely to get colorectal cancer
• History of colorectal polyps – common in people over the age of 50, some growths on inner wall of colon or rectum can become cancerous
• Smoking – may increase risk of developing polyps and colorectal cancer
• Alcohol use – heavy use of alcohol has been linked to the disease
• History of bowel disease – a disease called ulcerative colitis (Crohn’s colitis) increases the risk of colon cancer
• Lack of exercise – people who are not active have a higher risk of colorectal cancer
• Overweight – being very overweight increases a person’s risk

Cancer Centers of the Carolinas plays a major role in helping people in Upstate South Carolina and their families win the battle against colorectal cancer by providing easy access to a full range of advanced cancer care services in a setting that allows patients to remain close to their homes and their support network of family and friends.

To download a colorectal cancer fact sheet, click here.

About Cancer Centers of the Carolinas
Serving Upstate communities for more than three decades, Cancer Centers of the Carolinas (CCC) is a community-based, physician-owned practice with 27 board-certified oncologists practicing in nine locations in the Upstate of South Carolina. CCC is the Upstate's largest cancer care group treating over 6,000 new patients annually. CCC specializes in medical oncology, radiation oncology, gynecologic oncology, hematology, blood and marrow transplantation and clinical research. CCC is a National Cancer Institute grant recipient and is home to South Carolina's first FACT accredited Stem Cell Transplant Program. For more information on Cancer Centers of the Carolinas, visit www.cancercarolinas.com.

United in Healing with US Oncology
US Oncology, Inc., headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas, works closely with physicians, manufacturers and payers to identify and deliver innovative services that enhance patient access to advanced cancer care. US Oncology supports one of the nation’s foremost cancer treatment and research networks accelerating the availability and use of evidence-based medicine and shared best practices.

US Oncology uses its expertise to support every aspect of the cancer care delivery system—from drug development to distribution and outcomes measurement—enabling the company to help increase the efficiency and safety of cancer care. US Oncology is affiliated with 1,310 physicians operating in 493 locations, including 98 radiation oncology facilities in 39 states. For more information, visit the company’s Web site, www.usoncology.com.