One Simple Test Can Help You Fight The Battle Against Colon Cancer
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States for both women and men. This disease surpasses both breast and prostate cancer in mortality, second only to lung cancer in the number of cancer deaths. Despite the fact that it is highly preventable, it is estimated that 148,610 new cases of colorectal cancer will be diagnosed and 55,170 people will die from the disease in 2006. However, when detected and treated early, colorectal cancer has a five-year survival rate of greater than 90 percent. For that reason, routine screening is vital in the prevention and detection of this deadly disease.
CRC Screening
According to the American Cancer Society, “beginning at age 50, both men and women at average risk for developing colorectal cancer should follow one of these five testing schedules:
• yearly fecal occult blood test (FOBT)* or fecal immunochemical test (FIT)
• flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years
• yearly FOBT* or FIT plus flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years**
•...