Preventing and Treating Colorectal Cancer

• Description
• Table of Contents
• An excerpt from this report

Electronic Download (PDF): $16.00

Click to enlarge

As the third most common form of cancer in men and women, prospects look good for colon cancer treatment and prevention. New, more accurate screening tests make it possible to prevent colorectal cancer by removing colon polyps before they become malignant. Scientists are homing in on new combinations of drugs to treat more advanced disease. At the same time, clues are emerging that will help people prevent colon cancer by making changes in their diet and lifestyle. This report was prepared by the editors of Harvard Health Publications with Medical Editor Jeffrey ay Meyerhrdt, M.D., M.P.H., Assistant Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and Associate Physician in the Department of Medical Oncology at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. 45 pages. (updated: 2006)

Back to top >

Table of Contents:

Electronic Download (PDF): $16.00

Back to top >

Here's an Excerpt from this Colon Cancer Special Health Report

The outlook for preventing, treating, and curing colorectal cancer has never been better. Colorectal cancer deaths have declined by more than 20% in the last two decades, and fewer people are getting the disease. These are encouraging signs that advances in screening, diagnosis, and treatment are helping to conquer this form of cancer.

But there’s much more work to be done. Despite the overall decrease in the number of Americans diagnosed with colorectal cancer, that number could—and should—be even smaller. One barrier is the common misconception that colorectal cancer is a “man’s” disease. In reality, it affects men and women in nearly equal numbers. Colorectal cancer is the third most common type of cancer in women (after breast and lung cancers) and the third most common in men as well (after lung and prostate cancers). After lung cancer, it’s the second most common cause of cancer death in the United States.

But not enough people are getting screened for colon cancer. This is especially worrisome today, because there are more Americans over age 50 (the age when you should first be screened) than ever before. Those who forgo screening tests miss the chance not only to catch the disease early, but also to prevent it from developing in the first place. That’s because it is often possible to remove precancerous polyps and other lesions during a colonoscopy—without surgery—before they have the chance to become cancerous.

Certain habits can increase or reduce your risk for colorectal cancer. For example, heavy consumption of alcohol or red meat, lack of exercise, and smoking can raise your risk of developing the disease. It’s estimated that half or more of all colorectal cancers could be prevented through routine screening and lifestyle changes. With current innovations in treatment and screening, the likelihood of beating this disease is bound to get even better. The so-called virtual colonoscopy, a noninvasive CT scan, may soon become a viable option, and the number of effective drugs to treat colorectal cancer is increasing yearly. This report provides information to help you lower your risk of colon cancer or to increase your chances of living a long, healthy life if you already have been diagnosed.

Electronic Download (PDF): $16.00

Back to top >