Raising awareness about colorectal cancer

Some of you may remember when Katie Couric had a colonoscopy on camera as a way to raise awareness after her husband died of colon cancer. But despite her efforts, colorectal cancer has still managed to keep a fairly low profile.

Screening for Colorectal Cancer
Screening for colorectal cancer is more cumbersome than procedures like mammographies and Pap tests. But even so, because the symptoms of colorectal cancer usually appear in the later stages, it’s imperative that those most at risk get a colonoscopy at or immediately after the age of 50 every five to ten years thereafter.

Who Is Considered At Risk?
Once you celebrate your 50th birthday, you’ve moved into the higher-risk group for colorectal cancer and you should be screened every five to ten years. Early screening is also suggested for those who have a family history, starting at an age that’s 10 years before how old the relative was when diagnosed.

Are There Symptoms to Watch For?
Rectal bleeding, abdominal discomfort, lack of appetite, nonspecific bloating and anemia can all be symptoms of colorectal cancer. Those who are diagnosed based on symptoms, rather than through screening, are usually least stage, they can even be in stage 4. But the news is not all bad because stage 2 cure rates are about 80 percent and about half of those who reach stage 3 will survive with appropriate treatment.

How Is Colon Cancer Treated?
Surgery is usually how treatment begins, with removal of the primary tumor. Chemotherapy is usually prescribed, depending on the reoccurrence risk; it’s necessary for stage 3 and 4 patients. Many but not all stage 2 patients who have approximately 75 percent chance of being cured without chemotherapy do require treatment to raise their cure rate to 87 percent.

Relays for Life Celebrate Survivors
Raising awareness about cancer and funds for research are the main goals of the Relay for Life, but it’s also a forum to celebrate surviving cancer. The opening ceremony of the event honors cancer survivors and features an inspirational survivors’ lap. For the next 24 hours, each participating team must have at least one member walking at all times, to denote the fact that cancer never sleeps.

The Vallejo Relay for Life will kick off at 9 a.m. on Aug. 1 at the St. Patrick/St. Vincent High School. Physicians and staff from the Sutter Solano Cancer Center, one of the event sponsors, will be on hand to provide cancer information.

Benicia will host its inaugural Relay for Life on May 30 at Benicia High School. Like the Vallejo event, it will run from 9 a.m. to 9 a.m. the following day. Both events will also feature activities, entertainment, refreshments, raffles and more.

The fund-raising aspect of the events occur when the teams collect pledges from their sponsors, to be donated to the American Cancer Society. Team registration is available at relayforlife.org.

Chainarong Limvarapuss, M.D., is a board certified medical oncologist at Sutter Solano Cancer Center in Vallejo.