Cancer awareness campaign launched

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Kansas Cancer Partnership, American Cancer Society and the Kansas Association of Gastroenterologists are working together to promote awareness and screening activities across Kansas during the March 2011 Kansas Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month campaign.

The theme for this year's campaign is Preventable, Treatable, Beatable.

According to the ACS, the lifetime risk for developing colorectal cancer is about one in 19 for men and one in 20 for women. Each year in Kansas, about 1,440 cases of colorectal cancer are diagnosed and more than 500 people die of the disease. Colon cancer is the second-leading cancer killer of Kansans, but experts say it does not have to be.

"Colorectal caner is unique in the medical world -- it can actually be prevented if detected early, before cancerous polyps have a chance to grow and spread," KDHE Secretary Dr. Robert Moser said in a news release. "When found early, the treatment of colorectal cancer can be very effective."

While colon cancer can strike at any age, nine out of 10 new cases are in people 50 years of age or older. According to Dr. Shekhar Challa, member of KAGI, colon cancer screening is recommended for Kansans who:

* Are 50 or older.

* Are African-American and 45 or older.

* Have a family history of polyps or colon or rectal cancer.

* Have a history of cancer or polyps found earlier.

Several screening methods are available for colorectal cancer and screening is covered by Medicare and most health insurance plans. Two of the most common screening methods are Fecal Occult Blood Test and colonoscopy.

Age and family history are risk factors that cannot be changed, but several lifestyle-related factors have been linked to colorectal cancer. The links between diet, weight, exercise and colorectal cancer risk are some of the strongest for any type of cancer. Factors shown to increase a person's risk of colorectal cancer include a diet that is high in red meats and processed meats, physical inactivity, obesity, smoking, heavy alcohol use and type-2 diabetes, the release said.

Screening rates are increasing nationwide; however, studies show screening rates are lower among racial and ethnic minorities compared to whites, and among those without health insurance, with low income and with less than a high school education. Kansas death data shows that compared to whites, African-Americans are disproportionately affected by the disease.

"In Kansans age 50 years and older, only about 23 percent have had an FOBT in the previous two years and only about 38 percent have ever had a colonoscopy," Moser said. "We encourage all Kansans to talk with their health care provider about what screening is appropriate for them."

To talk with a trained specialist about colon cancer or where low or no-cost FOBT kits may be obtained in Kansas, call the toll-free number (800) 227-2345. To find a KAGI screening facility in Kansas, visit www.StopColonCancerNow.com/kansas. For information about the March campaign, or other Kansas cancer information, visit www.cancerkansas.org.