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From the National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service - Ask the CIS Cancer Columns - March 2005
Q: I've read that American women have a one-in-seven chance of getting breast cancer. What does this mean?
A: The National Cancer Institute (NCI) estimates that one in seven American women will develop breast cancer at some time in their lives. This is an overall estimate that refers to all American women, from childhood to age 95 and older.
An individual's chance of getting breast cancer increases with age. For example, the NCI estimates that the chance of being diagnosed with breast cancer is:
- One in 227 between ages 30 and 39.
- One in 67 between ages 40 and 49.
- One in 36 between ages 50 and 59.
These estimates are based on average risk for all women within each age group. A woman's risk may be higher or lower than the average, depending on her family history, reproductive history, race/ethnicity, and other factors.
For more information about breast cancer risk, call the Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER.
Q: Has Medicare expanded its benefits for cancer patients?
A: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced recently that it was expanding its coverage to allow more uses of positron emission tomography (PET) scans for beneficiaries with certain types of cancer. Medicare also has expanded its coverage of several new cancer drugs in clinical trials (research studies with people).
PET scans are pictures of areas inside the body. The test helps doctors diagnose disease, tell how far the disease has progressed, and plan treatment. Medicare now covers PET scans for patients with a wide range of cancers when the patient and doctor are participating in a selected clinical trial or submitting information to a PET database.
The new benefits also include additional uses for four new cancer drugs (oxaliplatin, irinotecan, bevacizumab and cetuximab) in selected clinical trials that are partly sponsored by the National Cancer Institute.
For more information on Medicare coverage, talk with your health care professionals or go to http://cms.hhs.gov/coverage on the Internet.
Q: Which tests are used to find colorectal cancer?
A: Screening tests often can find polyps (growths) on the color and rectum as well as colorectal cancer before any symptoms develop. Doctors may suggest one or more of the following tests:
- Fecal occult blood test (FOBT). The FOBT can find tiny amounts of blood in the stool. Blood in the stool may be caused by cancer or non-cancerous conditions, such as hemorrhoids. However, blood in the stool usually means that more tests are needed.
- Sigmoidoscopy. The doctor checks inside the rectum and lower colon with a lighted tube. If polyps are found, the doctor removes them.
- Colonoscopy. The doctor examines inside the rectum and entire colon using a lighted tube. The doctor removes any polyps that are found.
- Double-contrast barium enema. This is a series of x-rays of the colon and rectum that check for polyps. The patient is given an enema with a barium solution, and air is pumped into the rectum.
- Digital rectal exam. The health care provider inserts a lubricated, gloved lubricated finger into the rectum to feel for abnormalities. This test allows the doctor to examine only the lower part of the rectum.
People in their 50s and older should be screened for colorectal cancer. People with a higher-than-average risk for the disease should talk with their doctor about whether to have screening tests before age 50, what tests to have, how often to have them, and the benefits and risks of each test.
For more information on colorectal cancer screening, call the Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER.
Q: Who's at risk for colorectal cancer?
A: Research has shown that people with certain risk factors for colorectal cancer are more likely than others to develop the disease. Two risk factors that can be avoided are:
- Eating a diet that is high in fat (especially animal fats, such as meats) and low in calcium, folate and fiber. Some studies also have linked diets that are low in fruits and vegetables to an increased risk for colorectal cancer.
- Smoking cigarettes.
Other risk factors include:
- Being age 50 or older.
- Having had ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease for many years.
- Having parents, brothers, sisters or children who have had colorectal cancer. The risk is even greater if the relative had the disease at a young age, or if many close relatives had the disease.
- Having polyps (growths) on the colon or rectum. Most polyps are not cancer, but some can become cancer. Finding and removing polyps reduces the risk of colorectal cancer.
- Having had colorectal cancer or cancers of the ovary, uterus or breast.
- Certain inherited genetic changes.
Everyone age 50 and older should talk with their doctor about colorectal cancer screening. For more information about colorectal cancer, call the Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER.
The National Cancer Institute's Cancer Information Service (CIS) is one of the country's most trusted resources. Ask the CIS is distributed by the (region) CIS, which serves (list states). Call the CIS toll-free at 1-800-4-CANCER (1-800-422-6237) between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. |
