Be the ultimate survivor

Did you know that if everyone aged 50 years or older had regular screenings for colorectal cancer, at least 60 percent of deaths from this cancer could be avoided? Regular screenings can often find colorectal cancer early, when it is most treatable. Purdue’s medical plans cover colonoscopies, and most other preventive care services, at no cost to you.

In 2010, more than 140,000 people in the United States were diagnosed with colorectal cancer, making it the third most prevalent form of cancer in the country. If caught early, it's also one of the most curable types. Research from the American Cancer Society shows that if colorectal cancer is found early, survival rates can exceed 90 percent. More than half of people diagnosed have no symptoms.

No one is immune to the risk of cancer, even if you lead a healthy lifestyle or have no family history of the disease. The best weapon for early detection – and prevention – is regular screening. Advances in technology have made colorectal cancer screenings more effective, and most take only minutes to complete.

Know your risk …

The National Cancer Institute has an interactive tool to help estimate a person’s risk of developing colorectal cancer. Use the colorectal cancer risk tool to assess your risk.

Factors that can make your risk of colorectal cancer higher include:

• Close relatives (parents, brothers, sisters or children) who have had colorectal cancer
• History of colorectal polyps
• Obesity
• Cigarette smoking
• Inactive lifestyle

Factors that can lower your risk of colorectal cancer include:

• Colorectal cancer screening
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Regular, vigorous exercise
• A diet high in fruits, vegetables and whole grains and with very little red or processed meat
• Limiting your alcoholic beverage intake

Sources:

Colorectal Cancer Risk Assessment tool
Resources from the American Cancer Society
Colorectal Cancer 2011 Fact Sheet from the Prevent Cancer Foundation
Colorectal cancer basic information from the CDC
Colorectal Cancer, Catch It Early, Get Screened – a brochure from the Office of Minority Health