NEW YORK, March 2 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of an educational campaign about the increased risk for colorectal cancer among patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis (UC), collectively known as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD),(1) the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) encourages people with IBD to be more vigilant about being screened for colorectal cancer, the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men and women. If detected early, colorectal cancer can be treated and is considered highly curable in its earliest stages.
The campaign, "Know Your A,B,C,C's: Be Aware of the link Between Colitis, Crohn's and Colorectal Cancer," aims to raise awareness of recent findings that not only draw the connection between IBD and colon cancer, but also highlight the necessity for people with IBD to educate themselves about their risk factors and enroll in a prevention plan that includes regular surveillance colonoscopic examinations.
"Because the risk for developing colorectal cancer increases beginning about eight to ten years after the onset of IBD, even if the disease is in remission, it is imperative people seek screenings more frequently, approximately every one to two years," said David Rubin, M.D., Assistant Professor of Medicine for the Section of Gastroenterology at the University of Chicago. "Regular examinations allow for early detection and vital treatment for colorectal cancer -- a curable disease if caught early."
CCFA's Web site, http://www.ccfa.org, features a downloadable brochure as well as a schedule of educational seminars taking place around the country, hosted by local CCFA chapters.
"With increased awareness of this connection, IBD patients can initiate or maintain an open dialogue with their physicians and discuss their personal and family history of colorectal cancer as well as symptoms and medications, which are crucial components to cancer prevention," said Mark Goldman, Chair of the Board of the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America.
Each year, in the United States, 147,000 new cases of colorectal cancer are diagnosed and more than 57,000 people die(2) from the disease -- making it the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in this country.(3) Statistics also show that approximately 1.4 million Americans have Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, illnesses that can unwittingly put many at a higher risk for developing colorectal cancer than that of the general population.(4)
Although colorectal cancer cannot be prevented, there are a number of preventive measures that people with IBD can take to lessen the risk for colorectal cancer. Surveillance colonoscopy is key. According to some experts, medications used to treat inflammation of the colon -- sulfasalazine (example: Azulfidine(R)) and mesalamine (examples: Asacol(R), Pentasa(R)) -- also may lower these patients' risk for developing colon cancer. Finally, as with the general population, exercise and healthy nutrition also may play a role.
About CCFA
The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America's (CCFA) mission is to cure and prevent Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis through research, and to improve the quality of life of children and adults affected by these digestive diseases through education and support. For more information, contact CCFA at 800-932-2423 or visit http://www.ccfa.org.
This education program was made possible by an unrestricted grant from Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals.
References:
(1) Itzkowitz, SH, Harpaz, N. Diagnosis and management of dysplasia in patients with inflammatory bowel diseases. Gastroenterology. 2004;126:1634- 1648.
(2) National Cancer Institute. Cancer Facts: Colorectal Cancer Screening: Questions and Answers. Web site: http://cis.nci.nih.gov/fact/5_31.htm. Assessed January 31, 2005.
(3) Medline Plus. Colorectal Cancer: Facts on Screening. Web site: http://www.medicare.gov/Publications/Pubs/pdf/11012.pdf. Assessed January 31, 2005.
(4) Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis: Understanding Colorectal Cancer. Web site: http://www.ccfa.org/frameviewer/?url=/media/pdf/cancer.pdf. Assessed 1/27/05.
Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of AmericaCONTACT: Nicole Symon of Manning Selvage & Lee, +1-212-468-3839, orNicole.Symon@mslpr.com, for the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America
Web site: http://www.ccfa.org//
