Colorectal Cancer Screening Program
Among cancers that affect both men and women, colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer killer in the U.S. But if everyone aged 45 years or older had regular screening tests, many colorectal cancers might be avoided.
Graphic courtesy of CDC Screen for Life: National Colorectal Cancer Action Campaign
What is Colorectal Cancer?
Colorectal cancer is cancer that occurs in the colon or the rectum. The colon is the large intestine and the rectum is the passageway that connects the colon to the anal canal.
What can I do about it?
Get tested! Talk to your health care provider about screening. Screening includes tests that find colorectal cancer by testing the stool (feces) and tests that can find both colorectal polyps and cancer. Beginning at age 45 (or earlier if there is a family history), men and women should be screened for colorectal cancer. Colorectal cancer can be prevented through the removal of polyps, which are small growths on the lining of the colon, some of which can develop into cancer over a period of years. Polyps are found and painlessly removed through screening. If you are at average risk for colorectal cancer, there are a number of test options that could be appropriate for you. For people who develop colorectal cancer, the 5-year survival rate when it is discovered in the early stages is nearly 90%. Therefore, for people who develop colon cancer, finding this cancer early is extremely important.
New Hampshire Colorectal Cancer Screening Program (NHCRCSP)
The New Hampshire Colorectal Cancer Screening program was developed at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center to increase high quality colorectal cancer screening for New Hampshire residents. The New Hampshire Colorectal Cancer Screening Program seeks to increase colorectal cancer screening by working with NHCRCSP health care partners, including guidance from a free nurse navigator.
Screening Promotion
NHCRCSP is working with healthcare systems, employers, healthcare plans, media and community organizations to implement proven evidence based initiatives to impact colorectal cancer in NH. If you are interested in working with NHCRCP to increase colorectal cancer screening within your organization please call (603) 653-3702.