Nurses Know! - Screening for Colo-rectal Cancer

By: Rosalind Anderson RN

Colorectal is the third most common cancer in the United States (Mauk, 382). It is the second leading cause of death in the United States (Menon, 2003). Early detection can lead to decreased mortality and morbidity.
Survival of colorectal cancer is directly related to the stage at diagnosis. If the disease is localized (not spread) there is a 5 year survival rate of 90% for colon cancer and %80 for rectal cancer (Menon, 2003).
Polyps are precancerous lesions in the colon and can take 7 to 12 years to turn cancerous. For this reason early detection is critical (Menon, 2003).
Colonoscopy takes a picture of the colon and involves introducing flexible tube into the retum through the colon. This is usually done under sedation(ACS). Risks include perforation, bleeding and risks associated with sedation (Mauk, 382). However colonoscopy is the most sensitive of screening methods, and colon polyps can be easily removed during the colonoscopy, resulting in the prevention of that polyp from turning into cancer(Torpy, 2006).
Despite promising prognosis as a result of early polyp detection and/or stage diagnois, only 37% of colorectal cancer is diagnosed at an early stage (Menon, 2003).
The American Cancer Society recommends that beginning at age 50, men and women of average risk get screened. The adage an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure has never been so relevant.
References
American Cancer Society (ACS). How is Colorectal Cancer Found. Retrieved 2/7/2008
Mauk, K. (2006). Gerontological Nursing Competencies for Care. Massachusetts: Jones and Bartlett
Menon, U., Champion, V., Larkin, G., Zollinger, T., Gerde, P. Vernon, S. (2003). Beliefs associated with fecal occult blood test and colonoscopy use at worksite colon cancer screening program. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 45(8), 891-8.
Torpy, J. (2006) Colon cancer screening. Journal of the American Medical Association, 295(10), 1208.

Notes: This blog post reflects the work of Rosalind Anderson RN (minor editing by Shirley Comer RN) and was completed as a class assignment. The information in this blog is for informational purposes only. Before beginning or changing a treatment or lifestyle regime you should consult your primary health care provider.