 University Hospitals- Health Matters
Cancer Prevention and Control
Colon cancer affects men and women as often, but there is still a misperception that this is a “man’s disease”. Yet, colon cancer is the third most common cause of cancer deaths in women; it will claim the lives of more than 25,000 American women this year.
Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths overall in the United States but is an easily preventable disease. Early detection through screening, such as a colonoscopy, can prevent the development of colon cancer or find it early so that it can be cured.
Age is the most important risk factor for developing colon cancer. In women, for every 5 year age increase, colon cancer risk doubles. Other risk factors include menopause, family history of colon cancer or polyps, sedentary lifestyle, and a high fat or low fiber diet. In women with breast or uterine cancers, there is an increased risk of developing colon cancer.
Along with regular screenings, regular exercise and maintaining a healthy weight can reduce your risk of being diagnosed with colon cancer. In addition, hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in postmenopausal women decreases the risk of developing colon cancer by 20-45 %. However, women need to discuss the pros and cons of HRT with their doctor. Taking supplemental calcium also reduces the risk by 30-50%. It also decreases the development of recurrent polyps.
There are several screening methods for colon cancer, including fecal occult blood test, sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy and barium enema. Colonoscopy is the most sensitive test and is recommended for all adults over age 50. Individuals at high risk, such as those with a family history, should be screened beginning at age 40.
Research conducted at University Hospitals of Cleveland has found more evidence that colon cancer screening is an effective tool for early detection, but still remains vastly underutilized in the United States. Our team of researchers found that more than half of nearly 6,000 patients, aged 70 and older, had had an exam, such as a colonoscopy or fecal occult blood testing, just within six months of their diagnosis. This data leads researchers to suspect that most people wait too long before undergoing some form of colorectal screening. The study also showed that 94 percent of patients had not had a colonoscopy at all, or at least not until the colonoscopy that produced their diagnosis.
The good news about colon cancer is that with proper screening it is treatable and curable.
Gregory Cooper, MD, is Co-Program Leader for Cancer Prevention and Control at the Ireland Cancer Center of University Hospitals of Cleveland (UHC) and is a gastroenterologist at UHC. He recently received the prestigious John Peter Minton Hero of Hope Research Medal of Honor from the American Cancer Society, Ohio Division for his research into colon cancer prevention. Dr. Cooper co-chaired the Ohio Dialogue for Action in Colorectal Cancer Screening and Control as well as the state task force on colon cancer prevention and his data has impacted regional efforts in educating patients about the importance of screening for this preventable disease. Dr. Cooper also serves on the Advisory Board for the Ohio Cancer Incidence Surveillance System to monitor data about the burden of cancer in Ohio. For more information about colon cancer, contact the Ireland Cancer Center at 1-800-641-2422.
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