SGNA Recognizes National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

Colorectal Cancer continues to be the second leading cancer killer for both men and women combined in the United States, even though it is 90 percent preventable and 90 percent treatable when detected early.

SGNA, along with the other 54 National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month (NCRCAM) partners, take March as an opportunity to change these statistics by helping to educate the nation about the disease.

“Much progress has been made over the past few years in both prevention and treatment of colorectal cancer,” said Carolyn Aldigé, president and founder of the Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation. “Our challenge is to educate Americans about the importance of regular screenings, and if they are diagnosed with colorectal cancer, it is equally important that they know about their treatment choices.”

National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month was founded by the Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation, the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy, the Foundation for Digestive Health and Nutrition, and the National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable, in order to bring critical messages about colorectal cancer to the American people. This collaboration obtained resolutions from the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, as well as proclamations from two White House Administrations declaring March as National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month (NCRCAM).

Fifty-one additional collaborating partners, including SGNA have joined the founders to educate about colorectal cancer year-round, focusing their energies and resources on the annual awareness campaign that takes place each March.

The National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month campaign once again features the Buddy Bracelet, a wristband that encourages people to “Wear it, Share it, Because You Care.” With this theme, the bracelet reminds those who wear it to get screened for colorectal cancer. After the person is screened, he/she gives the bracelet to a family member, friend or colleague to convey the powerful message to talk with a health care professional about colorectal cancer. The bracelet is then passed along from that person to another person and so on, creating a chain reaction that could save thousands of lives.

The bracelet is branded with the phrase “Colorectal Cancer: Preventable, Treatable, Beatable!” to emphasize that the disease can be prevented through screening, and that it is treatable and beatable, when detected and treated in its earliest stages.

SGNA is pleased to be part of National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and are eager to spread the message of colorectal health to our community. We hope to see many Buddy Bracelets across the country, and we know that the message of saving lives will resonate with each participant.

About the Buddy Bracelet:

Launched in February 2004 to celebrate National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month (NCRCAM), which takes place every March to educate Americans about colorectal cancer, the Buddy Bracelet creates awareness about the disease. The Buddy Bracelet campaign was a winner almost overnight - 50,000 bracelets were distributed nationwide between February 1 and March 31, 2004 .

Buddy Bracelets are available for $1 each via the Foundation’s toll-free number, 1-877-35-COLON, or by visiting www.preventcancer.org.

Colorectal Cancer Quick Facts:

Colorectal cancer is cancer of the colon and/or rectum. It is the third most common cancer in both men and women, and affects them equally. It is also one of the most preventable cancers because it can develop from polyps that can be removed before they become cancerous.

Prevention

• Get regular screening tests.
• Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy weight.
• Eat a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
• Don’t smoke and don’t drink alcohol excessively.

Risks

• Men and women age 50 and older
• People with a personal or family history of colorectal cancer or colorectal polyps
• People with a personal or family history of inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease
• People with a family history of inherited colorectal cancer
• People who use tobacco. People who are obese and are sedentary

Symptoms

In the early stages, there may not be any symptoms. Later, these symptoms may appear:

• Rectal bleeding
• Blood in or on the stool (bright red)
• Change in bowel habits
• Stools that are narrower than usual
• General stomach discomfort (bloating, fullness and/or cramps)
• Diarrhea, constipation or feeling that the bowel does not empty completely
• Frequent gas pains
• Weight loss for no apparent reason
• Constant tiredness
• Vomiting

Early Detection

Colorectal cancer is easily treated and often curable when detected early.

• Have a fecal occult blood test yearly.
• Have a sigmoidoscopy every five years, or a colonoscopy or double contrast barium enema every 5 to 10 years.
• Have all non-cancerous polyps removed to help prevent colorectal cancer before it starts.
• Have a digital rectal exam every 5 to 10 years at the time of each screening sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy or barium enema.
• If you have a personal or family history of colorectal cancer, benign colorectal polyps, inflammatory bowel disease, or breast, ovarian, or endometrial cancer, talk to your health care provider about earlier screening.

Treatment

• Surgery is the most common treatment.
• Chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy is given before or after surgery to most patients with colorectal cancer that has spread.

To learn more, call 1-877-35-COLON or visit www.preventcancer.org/colorectal