Tips From a Member of Our Medical Advisory Board
Al B. Benson III, MD, FACP FASCO is Professor of Medicine, Feinberg School of Medicine, and Associate Director for Clinical Investigations, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center, Northwestern University
One of the nation’s most respected experts in colorectal cancer, Dr. Benson has supported and worked with Fight Colorectal Cancer for years as an active member of our Medical Advisory Board.
Written by Dr. Al Benson, March 18 2013, Chicago, Illinois
Although March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, this disease is so frequent yet in most cases preventable that we should be striving every month of the year to make even more people aware of the importance of colorectal cancer and colorectal cancer screening. The good news is that we are seeing a trend that showing more people are getting screened and more people are surviving this disease. Even so, we have much more work to do to prevent and treat colorectal cancer.
Important information to know – from screening to diagnosis for colorectal cancer:
1) Know your family history. In some cases, colorectal cancer risk is inherited and the genetic risk can be passed on to generations within a family. For those with a risk for inherited colorectal cancer, genetic counseling and testing is strongly recommended. Also if you have an immediate family member who has had colorectal cancer, your risk for developing the disease is greater. Let your doctor know about the details of your family history. If you are unsure of your family history, discuss it with your relatives to be as complete as possible.
2) If you are of African-American descent, you are potentially at higher risk for developing colorectal cancer and screening should begin earlier, at age 45.
3) There is growing recognition that obesity, diabetes and lack of exercise are contributing factors to the risk of developing colorectal cancer and these risks should also be discussed with your doctor.
4) Talk with your doctor if you experience bleeding from the rectum. Many people assume bleeding is “just hemorrhoids,” which might be true, but it also could be a sign of colorectal polyps and/or cancer. Discuss any bleeding with your doctor as well as other symptoms including change in bowel habits (e.g., recent but persistent diarrhea and or constipation), persistent abdominal pain, weight loss or loss of appetite, or increasing fatigue.
5) If you are diagnosed with colorectal cancer, make sure you ask which members of the medical team will be important for your care. A gastroenterologist, surgeon, medical oncologist, radiation oncologist (for rectal cancer), nurse, nutritionist, psychologist, social worker, financial counselor, genetic counselor are some examples of team members who you may really need to help with your diagnosis and treatment.
6) Ask if you are a potential candidate to participate in a clinical trial. All of our current therapies and advancements in the treatment of colorectal cancer have come about because people through the years participated in a clinical trial. Oncologists consider clinical trials to be one component of the standard of care. Further advances in colorectal cancer treatment will require many people willing to enroll in our clinical trials.
7) There are resources available for you. Fight Colorectal Cancer has great information available for you. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) has created guidelines for treatment used around the world by health care professionals. There is a patient version of colorectal cancer guidelines that you can obtain on the internet and bring to your doctor.
I hope some of these tips will offer you and your family some additional guidance as we continue our efforts to control this common cancer.
You can make a difference in the fight against colorectal cancer wherever you are!
