Colorectal cancer is the second largest leading cause of cancer related deaths in the United States.  There is a 1 in 16 lifetime chance of developing colorectal cancer.  The disease affects men and women in equal proportion.  For those persons with a family history of colorectal cancer, the risk may increase significantly.  Colorectal cancer has a high survival rate when detected early.

Fecal occult blood testing (FOBT) is one part of colorectal cancer screening recommended for men and women aged 50 or more.  In addition to the annual FOBT, the screening colonoscopy is recommended at age 50 and afterward at intervals to be determined by the findings, and the personal and family history of the individual.  In some settings, the flexible sigmidoscopy is performed every five years.

FOBT should be performed on three consecutive stool specimens.  To perform FOBT correctly, certain medications (aspirin and non-steroidal antiflammatories) should be avoided for up to seven days prior to testing.  During the testing period, certain medications (Vitamin C in excess of 250 mg per day), as well as certain foods (red or rare meat, fresh melons, turnips, radishes, and horseradish) should be avoided.

Negative findings of FOBT should be reported to one's personal physician for the medical record.  Positive findings should be brought to the attention of one's personal physician to follow up.

The FOBT is a screening tool, not a diagnostic tool.  This means that the findings of the FOBT should be referred to a physician for interpretation and for follow up as indicated.

(Source:  The Colorado Clinical Guidelines Collaborative, August 2005)

Suggested Web sites and sources of information:
Baptist Regional Medical Center's online Health Encyclopedia offers more than 11,000 pages of illustrated health information on a variety of diseases, treatments and procedures.

www.cdc.gov/cancer/screenforlife:  This CDC website has a section on the left side for Colorectal Cancer.  Several topics may be selected there.

www.mdanderson.org:  Type in "cancer screening guidelines" in their search engine.

www.cancer.org:  This is the website of the American Cancer Society.  From the main page, in the section entitled Health Information Seekers, click on "Prevention and Early Detection".  On this page, in the Getting Specific Box. choose, "Can Colorectal Cancer be Prevented?"

Baptist Regional's Cancer Resource Center also offers help and information on cancer-related topics.