HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson today affirmed the value of colorectal cancer screening and encouraged Americans aged 50 years or older to get screened.

"Colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer killer in the United States and screening can save lives," Secretary Thompson said at an event marking March as National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. "If Americans age 50 or older had regular screening tests, our nation would see a substantial reduction in colorectal cancer deaths."

This year, an estimated 148,300 people will be diagnosed with the cancer and about 56,600 will die from it. Only lung cancer kills more Americans.

An estimated 90 million Americans are at risk for developing colorectal cancer. A major risk factor is age, with people at least 50 years old considered at risk. Other risk factors include a diet low in fruits and vegetables and high in animal fat, a family or personal history of colorectal polyps or cancer, obesity, alcohol consumption, tobacco use, and a condition known as inflammatory bowel disease.

Long before symptoms appear, colorectal cancer often starts as a small growth called a polyp, according to research supported by HHS' National Cancer Institute (NCI) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Screening tests can find polyps that can be removed before they turn into cancer. Screening tests can also find colorectal cancer early—when the chance of being cured is very good.

Secretary Thompson announced that HHS and the American Cancer Society will establish a task force to improve coordination and increase public awareness on the causes, symptoms, treatment and prevention of colorectal cancer.

He also announced the release of four new public service announcements as part of HHS' "Screen for Life" campaign designed to educate Americans aged 50 and older about the importance of screening for colorectal cancer.

Clinicians may recommend one or more of the following screening tests for colorectal cancer:

• A fecal occult blood test (FOBT) is a test for hidden blood in the stool.
• A sigmoidoscopy is an examination of the rectum and lower colon with a flexible lighted instrument.
• A colonoscopy is an examination of the rectum and entire colon with a lighted instrument.
• A double contrast barium enema is a series of x-rays of the colon and rectum. The x-rays are taken after the patient is given an enema with a white, chalky solution that contains barium to outline the colon and rectum on the x-rays.

Compared to screening for cervical or breast cancers, rates for colorectal cancer screening remain low. Recent findings from CDC's state-based Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System indicates that only 44 percent of adults aged 50 years and older had at least one of three recommended screening tests (FOBT, colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy) within the appropriate time interval.

"We encourage Americans, particularly those 50 and older, to talk to their physicians about colorectal cancer screenings," Secretary Thompson said. "Physicians can also encourage their patients to eat at least five fruits and vegetables a day and to exercise as part of a plan to help reduce colorectal and other cancers."

HHS supports a broad array of activities to help reduce the burden of colorectal cancer:

• NCI conducts and supports studies to prevent, detect, and treat colorectal cancer. These include studies to examine the role of smoking cessation, diet, use of dietary supplements, use of aspirin or similar medicines, decreased alcohol consumption, and increased physical activity in preventing colorectal cancer. More information about NCI programs is available by calling 1-800-4-CANCER or by visiting cancer.gov on the Web.
  
  
• CDC promotes colorectal cancer screening nationwide by educating health care providers and the public about the benefits of screening, screening procedures, and current screening guidelines. In addition, six states and tribes are now receiving CDC funding to plan and implement colorectal cancer education and screening efforts. With NCI and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), CDC has created and implemented the ongoing "Screen for Life" education campaign. CDC also has developed materials for physicians and other health professionals to emphasize the importance of prevention and early detection.
  
  
• Medicare, which is administered by CMS, covers all four types of colorectal screening tests for beneficiaries—including a fecal occult blood test once a year. Medicare also covers a screening colonoscopy as often as every 24 months for beneficiaries at high risk for colorectal cancer and, since July 2001, once every 10 years for beneficiaries who are not at high risk. More information about Medicare coverage for colorectal screening tests is available by calling 1-800-MEDICARE or visiting http://www.medicare.gov.

Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other press materials are available at www.hhs.gov/news.

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Page last reviewed: Friday, September 13, 2002

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