Steps You Can Take Now To Protect Your Health

• If you are 50 years old and have not been screened, talk to your doctor about having a screening test for colorectal cancer. Discuss the screening options that are right for you. Do not wait for symptoms.



• If you have any of the following symptoms, discuss them with your doctor. Only he or she can determine if cancer or other conditions are causing the symptoms. The symptoms are:
  
  
  • Blood in or on the stool,
  • A change in bowel habits,
  • Stools that are narrower than usual,
  • General stomach discomfort,
  • Frequent gas pains, and
  • Unexplained weight loss.



• Visit the Federal Government's Screen for Life website for more information about colorectal cancer screening tests.



• Call the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' toll-free line at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's toll-free line at 1-888-842-6355 to order a copy of the following helpful publications:
  
  
  • A fact sheet called Colorectal Cancer Facts for People with Medicare (CMS Pub #11040).
  
  
  
  • A brochure called Colorectal Cancer Screening - For People with Medicare (CMS Pub #11039).
    
    
  • A fact sheet in Spanish called Cáncer Colorrectal - Información Básica Sobre Los Exámenes de Detección (CMS Pub #11011-S).

These materials give important information about colorectal cancer and describe the screening tests. You also can order other publications on colorectal cancer by calling the phone numbers listed above.

• Call the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service on 1-800-4-CANCER (TTY 1-800-332-9615) for more information about colorectal cancer or any other cancer.



• When you visit the doctor, keep the following tips in mind so that you get the most from your visit.
  
  
  • Do not feel uncomfortable about asking questions. Bring a list of questions with you, and have it handy when you talk to the doctor.
  
  
  
  • Ask about colorectal cancer screening, even if your doctor does not mention it.
  
  
  
  • If you do not understand everything your doctor tells you, let him or her know.
  
  
  
  • Bring a notepad and write down notes to help you remember important points.
  
  
  
  • Ask your doctor for materials on colorectal cancer and other topics that you can read after you leave the office.

Colorectal Cancer Awareness Information