Download this transcript (19KB)

A CUP OF HEALTH WITH CDC
Regular Screening Prevents Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal Cancer Test Use --- Maryland, 2002--2006
September 14, 2007

[Announcer] This podcast is presented by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC – safer,
healthier people.

[Matthew Reynolds] Welcome to A Cup of Health with CDC, a weekly broadcast of the
MMWR, the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. I’m your host, Matthew Reynolds.
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer related deaths in the United
States. It affects men and women, most often those 50 or older. Here to discuss some
of the basics about this disease is CDC’s Dr. Laura Seeff. Dr. Seeff, welcome to the
program.

[Dr. Seeff] Thanks. It’s a pleasure to be here this morning.

[Matthew Reynolds] Dr Seeff what is colorectal cancer?

[Dr. Seeff] Colorectal cancer is cancer of the large intestine, so it affects both the colon
and the rectum. And most colorectal cancers begin with pre-existing polyps or growths
inside the colon that develop very slowly over a period of 10 to 15 years into cancers.
And this very slow progression provides an excellent opportunity to screen for this
disease.

[Matthew Reynolds] You just mentioned screening. I gather then that colorectal cancer
is preventable.

[Dr. Seeff] It is preventable. Screening for colorectal cancer works through both
prevention and early detection. So again, because of the long lead time, the slow
development of cancers from polyps, if a polyp is detected and removed before it’s
become a cancer, that’s a cancer prevented. Likewise, if an early colorectal cancer is
detected, treatment is much more effective. And additionally, it’s actually much less
expensive to identify and remove a polyp or treat an early cancer than to treat a late
cancer that has spread.

[Matthew Reynolds] Let’s say that I’m concerned about developing colorectal cancer
or there’s a history of it in my family. Are there symptoms to be on the lookout for?

[Dr. Seeff] There are symptoms. Occasionally, polyps and early cancers can bleed, and
once they have grown large enough and they’re actually blocking the colon, they may
cause symptoms of abdominal discomfort or bloating. But you don’t want to wait for
symptoms. Frequently, these polyps and early cancers have no symptoms and this is
why it’s critical to get screened before there’s any symptoms.

[Matthew Reynolds] Any recommendations on the types of people that should be
screened?

[Dr. Seeff] The most important risk factor for colorectal cancer is age. So, the majority
of colorectal cancers, 92 percent, occur in people 50 and older. So if you’re 50 and over
or have a family member 50 and over, you need to be getting screened regularly. There
are some categories of people who are at increased risk. If you’ve had a previous
colorectal polyp or colorectal cancer, if you have a family member with a previous polyp
or a previous cancer, and if you have certain diseases of the bowel, it puts you at
increased risk. But in general, just being 50 and older is risk enough.

[Matthew Reynolds] Assuming a polyp is discovered during a screening, what are the
chances of heading off cancer?

[Dr. Seeff] Let me clarify first that typically, when a polyp is detected, it can be removed
at the same sitting, and that should entirely prevent the cancer. Now that individual is at
risk for recurrent polyps in the future, so they would need to undergo, at a more frequent
interval than usual, repeated screening tests. At that time, we actually call it a
surveillance test. But assuming that occurs, they should avoid cancer altogether.

[Matthew Reynolds] Are people getting screened for colorectal cancer?

[Dr. Seeff] Again, the best way to avoid this disease altogether or to treat it more
effectively is to get screened. Unfortunately, people aren’t taking advantage of this
opportunity as much as we’d like. Only about 50 percent of the eligible population is
getting screened as recommended. If a person has no health insurance or does not
have regular contact with a physician, they’re even less likely to get screened. So again,
we really strongly recommend regular screening for colorectal cancer.

[Matthew Reynolds] Dr. Seeff thanks for taking the time to share this with our listeners
today.

[Dr. Seeff] Sure. It’s been a pleasure to be here.

[Matthew Reynolds] That’s it for this week’s show. Don’t forget to join us next week.
Until then, be well. This is Matthew Reynolds for A Cup of Health with CDC.

[Announcer] To access the most accurate and relevant health information that affects you, your family
and your community, please visit www.cdc.gov.