DOH Launches Colorectal Cancer Campaign

The Department of Health, in partnership with Well Bermuda partners, Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre, and Bermuda Hospitals Board has launched the Colorectal Cancer Awareness Campaign; the campaign launched this month as March is recognized internationally as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month.

A spokesperson said, “The poster campaign, in an effort to raise awareness that colorectal cancer is preventable through screening, uses the stories of Bermuda residents who have been impacted by this disease.”

“According to Bermuda National Tumour Registry statistics, colon cancer is a leading cancer diagnosed in men and women in Bermuda and a leading cause of cancer related death, yet it is largely preventable. Screening finds precancerous polyps, so that they can be removed before they develop into cancer, and detects colorectal cancer early, when treatment is most effective.”

“The major risk factor for colorectal cancer is increasing age. According to the Centers for Disease Control [CDC], 90 percent of all colorectal cancers are diagnosed in people ages 50 and older. However, some factors that make people at “increased risk” for colorectal cancer include:

• A personal or significant family history of colorectal polyps or colorectal cancer
• Inflammatory bowel disease [ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease]
• A genetic syndrome such as familial adenomatous polyposis [FAP] or Lynch syndrome

“Lifestyle factors and conditions that may contribute to colon cancer risk include:

• Smoking
• Excess alcohol consumption
• Obesity
• Diet which fits any of the following descriptions: low fiber, high animal fats, low calcium

“Lifestyle factors that may protect against colorectal cancer include:

• Physical activity
• Maintaining a healthy diet including recommended intake of fruits and vegetables
• Maintaining a healthy weight

“Everyone age 50 and older has at least some risk for developing colorectal cancer, so it is important to get screened. There are several colorectal cancer screening options:

• Take-home stool test, high sensitivity fecal occult blood test [FOBT - test that checks for hidden blood in the stool]. If you are not high risk this should be done once a year starting at age 50.
• Flexible sigmoidoscopy [test that examines the interior walls of the rectum and part of the colon]. If you are not high risk this should be done every 5 years starting at age 50.
• Colonoscopy [test that examines the interior walls of the rectum and the entire colon]. If you are not high risk this should be done every 10 years starting at age 50.

“Talk to your doctor about which test is right for you. Knowing early can save your life; get screened. Precancerous polyps can be removed before they turn into cancer. Get screened starting at age 50, or earlier if you or your physician determine that you are at increased risk. Screening saves lives.”

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