Future of Colorectal Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Relies on Collaborative Approach of Preventive Health Care Systems and Patients

Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation
Wednesday, 30 October 2002

Screening for colorectal cancer is an integral component of high-quality preventive health care and is a national public health responsibility, but the American health care system lacks a consistent, systematic approach to health care delivery. Organizations and systems that impact preventive health care must work together to promote a more collaborative and consistent method of disease prevention in general and prevention of colorectal cancer, in particular, according to recommendations released today from a national conference on colorectal cancer convened by the Cancer Research Foundation of America (CRFA).

This consensus and other findings emerged from the third annual conference, Dialogue for Action: Increasing Cancer Screening Rates—The Colorectal Cancer Model, which examined the current state of screening for colorectal cancer prevention, and ways to promote and implement a colorectal cancer screening program as part of a comprehensive and coordinated cancer prevention strategy. Participants represented a range of diverse health care backgrounds and organizations including patient advocates, primary care professionals, gastroenterologists and representatives of government agencies. The document that emerged from this conference, Confronting Colorectal Cancer: Action Steps for Change, offers organizations and individuals ways to help inform and shape their efforts to lessen the negative impact of colorectal cancer.

"It is well recognized that public demand generally drives changes in health care delivery, and it is our belief that if public demand is created for colorectal cancer screening, the health care system will respond in a way that enables increased and improved delivery of those services," said CRFA President and Founder Carolyn Aldigé.

"Although many challenges remain before screening for colorectal cancer becomes as routine as preventive practices such as childhood immunization or mammography for detection of breast cancer, there are steps individuals and organizations can take now to expedite this process."

Key Recommendations

Health care experts at the conference confirmed that colorectal cancer, a disease that can be prevented or cured when found early, is most often found late, leading to excess suffering and untimely death. They stressed the importance of prevention and the need to emphasize the message that screening can prevent colorectal cancer.

Specific recommendations for practical strategies to decrease deaths from colorectal cancer reflected the following themes:

"As concerned citizens and organizations move forward to advocate for increased colorectal cancer screening, it is important to remember that sweeping changes in health care practices do not happen overnight," said Aldigé. "Several years elapsed before mammography was recommended by health care professionals and accepted by women. It took a concerted breast cancer awareness campaign several years before screening by mammography began to increase. The American health care system heeded the public's demand for improvements in that service. It is time to do the same for colorectal cancer screening."

A copy of Confronting Colorectal Cancer: Action Steps for Change can be downloaded from the Cancer Research Foundation of America Web site (www.preventcancer.org) or can be obtained by calling 800-227-CRFA (800-227-2732).

About Colorectal Cancer

Colorectal cancer — cancer of the colon or rectum — is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States for both men and women combined. The disease surpasses both breast and prostate cancer in mortality, and is second only to lung cancer in numbers of cancer deaths.

Despite the fact that it is highly preventable, approximately 148,300 new cases of colorectal cancer will be diagnosed this year and 56,600 people will die from the disease. There are ways to prevent colorectal cancer — screening tests are the most effective. Most cases of the disease begin as non-cancerous polyps — grape-like growths on the lining of the colon and rectum. These polyps can become cancerous. Removing these polyps can prevent colorectal cancer from ever developing. Approximately 90 percent of colorectal cancers and deaths are thought to be preventable. Because there are often no symptoms related to polyps, it is important to be routinely screened.

About Dialogue for Action

Dialogue for Action: Increasing Cancer Screening Rates — The Colorectal Cancer Model was the third annual national conference on colorectal cancer convened by the Cancer Research Foundation of America (CRFA). This conference brought together a diverse group of individuals and organizations united by their dedication to decreasing our nation's morbidity and mortality from colorectal cancer. Although the conference focused on taking action against colorectal cancer, what was learned can also be applied to many cancers and other diseases.

The conference provided a unique opportunity for a broad group of national and community leaders to share ideas. Those attending were given the chance to develop a consensus on a working agenda to increase screening for colorectal cancer and to promote change in the health of our country.

About CRFA

The Cancer Research Foundation of America (CRFA) is a national, non-profit health foundation with a single mission: the prevention and early detection of cancer through scientific research and education. Founded in 1985 by Carolyn Aldigé, the organization's commitment to cancer prevention and early detection is fueled by the fact that 70 percent of certain cancers may be preventable and many are easily treated when detected early, yet more than 550,000 Americans die from the disease annually.

One of only 10 non-federal agencies whose grant review process is approved by the National Institutes of Health, CRFA strengthens the area of cancer prevention and early detection research through its grant and fellowship program. Since 1985, CRFA has provided more than $57 million in programs and research to more than 600 scientists at more than 100 leading universities and medical centers.

For more information, or to contact Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation, see their website at: www.preventcancer.org