Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

Approximately 90 percent of colorectal cancers are thought to be preventable. With that in mind, Pennsylvania Hospital’s Joan Karnell Cancer Center is focusing on colorectal cancer awareness with an educational program 11:30 am to 1:30 pm, the week of March 19 in the Elm Garden Cafeteria at Pennsylvania Hospital. Open to hospital staff, patients and visitors, the program focuses on nutrition, genetics, prevention and screening for colorectal cancer.

Other than skin cancers, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosis among men and women in the US.  Studies show that 1 in 20 Americans develop colorectal cancer during their lifetime. Regular screening exams such as colonoscopies can prevent colorectal cancer.  During colonoscopies, any abnormal cells that begin as polyps can be found and removed before they become cancerous. Screening can also result in early detection of colorectal cancer when it is highly curable.

Some risk factors for colorectal cancer include:

• Over the age of 50
• Personal history of colorectal polyps or colorectal cancer
• Personal history of inflammatory bowel disease
• Family history of colorectal cancer
• Inherited syndromes
• FAP – familial adenomatous polyposis
• HNPCC – hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer also known as Lynch syndrome
• Juvenile polyposis
• Peutz-Jegher
• MYH gene
• Racial and ethnic background – African Americans and Ashkenazi Jews
• Lifestyle factors
• Diet high in red meats and processed meats
• Physical inactivity
• Obesity
• Smoking
• Heavy alcohol use
• Type 2 diabetes

Screening for colorectal cancer should begin at age 50 for those with no identified risk factor other than age. People with a family history or other risk factors should talk to their doctor about starting screening when they are younger.

If you have an early onset of colon polyps, colon cancer, or multiple family members with colon polyps or colon and uterine cancer, you should consider genetic counseling and testing. Genetic counselors can be contacted at Pennsylvania Hospital by calling 215-829-6528 or at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania by calling 215-349-8141.