News Release
For Immediate Release: February 23, 2011
Contact Person: Diane Lee, PIO, 301-334-7730
2011 Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
Early Colorectal Cancer Screening Saves Lives!
Celebrating March 2011 as the 12 th Annual Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month provides another opportunity to inform the public that early colorectal cancer screening saves lives. Despite the benefits of early screening, 25% of adults 50 years and over have not been screened for colorectal cancer with a colonoscopy or a sigmoidsocopy according to Maryland Cancer Survey 2010.
Colorectal Cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in Maryland . Nationally the American Cancer Society projects approximately 142,570 new cases and 51,370 deaths in 2010. And of those, 2,630 new cases and 950 deaths are projected for Maryland. Compared to whites, African Americans are more likely to develop and die from colorectal cancer.
The major risk factor for colorectal cancer is age. More than 90% of colorectal cancer is found in people age 50 years and over. The American Cancer Society recommends screening for all people ages 50 years and over, and before age 50 for people with a personal or family history of colorectal cancer or adenomatous polyps (small growths that can turn into cancer), and individuals with a history of inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis, chron's disease). Women with cancer of the ovary or uterus before the age of 50 also need to start colorectal cancer screening earlier.
You may have no symptoms if you have early stages of colorectal cancer. You can look and feel healthy and not know there may be a problem. Everyone should talk with their doctor to find out when they should be tested for colorectal cancer. There are several tests available. The most commonly used test is a colonoscopy, where a doctor uses a flexible tube with a light to look inside the large intestines or colon to find cancer or to find and remove polyps before they can turn into cancer.
For more information about colorectal cancer screening, please contact the Garrett County Health Department at 301-334-7770 or 301-895-3111.