Fact Or Fiction - The Truth About Colorectal
Cancer
by: News Canada
Colorectal Cancer is a disease that
only affects older men.
FICTION: It can affect anyone, men or women equally. Men and
women 50 years or older are at greater risk for the
disease.
Colorectal Cancer is usually
curable.
FACT: It is usually curable when detected early. More than 90
percent of patients with localized cancer confirmed to the
colon or rectum are alive five years after initial
diagnosis.
Getting tested is necessary for individuals who have
symptoms.
FACT: Men and women age 50 or older should get screened
regularly for colorectal cancer. Unfortunately, symptoms for
this disease are often silent and therefore it is important to
get screened regularly even if you have no symptoms. About 75
percent of all new cases of colorectal cancer occur in
individuals with no known risk factors for the disease.
I cannot do anything about being diagnosed with colorectal
cancer.
FICTION: Colorectal cancer is highly preventable. Some
preventative measures include eating a diet rich in fruits and
vegetables and low in fat, regular exercise, moderate alcohol
consumption, and no smoking. In addition, it is extremely
important to get screened for colorectal cancer after the age
of 50. Screening can help to identify colorectal cancer in its
early stages or before it even begins.
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Many people
diagnosed with colorectal cancer
can have a good quality of life.
There are effective treatment
options, support groups, and
supportive care to help cancer
patients cope with the side effects
of treatment, as well as the
emotional and everyday concerns of
living with this disease.
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There really are no treatment options for colorectal
cancer.
FICTION: Treatment will depend on the type, grade and stage of
the cancer. Management of the disease may include surgery and
radiation in the earlier stages of the disease, and
chemotherapy options such as Camptosar®, Xeloda® or
5-fluorouracil (5-FU) are generally used in the later stages of
the disease when the cancer has spread to other areas of the
body.
No two individuals respond the same to therapy, but there is
evidence to demonstrate that one or all of these treatment
options can effectively aid people living with colorectal
cancer.
I can have a good quality of life if diagnosed with colorectal
cancer.
FACT: Many people diagnosed with colorectal cancer can have a
good quality of life. There are effective treatment options,
support groups, and supportive care to help cancer patients
cope with the side effects of treatment, as well as the
emotional and everyday concerns of living with this
disease.
For more information on colorectal cancer, contact the Canadian
Cancer Society toll free at 1-888-939-3333 or visit the web
site at www.cancer.ca. Other
excellent resources include the Colorectal Cancer Association
of Canada web site at www.ccac-accc.ca or The National
Colorectal Cancer Campaign at www.coloncancercanada.ca.
About The Author
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