Colorectal Cancer

Free Colorectal Cancer Screening

HPSM can provide you with a free colorectal cancer screening.

If you are age 50 or older and have not had a colorectal cancer screening or are due for one call our Health Education department, 650-616-2165, to request your free Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) kit. The FIT kit is a simple, non-invasive yearly screening that can be done at home. To learn more about the FIT kit visit InSure FIT (insuretest.com)

Colorectal cancer affects both men and women. The colon and rectum are parts of the large intestine. Regular screenings for colorectal cancer are recommended for anyone age 50 or older.

Every year in the United States, more than 140,000 men and women are diagnosed with colon and rectal cancer. An estimated 50,000 will die from these diseases.

Talk to your Doctor

Not sure where to start? Talk to your doctor about colorectal cancer and screenings.

Here are some sample questions to help you get started:

• What are the risks for colorectal cancer?
• Based on my family history, do I have risk factors?
• When should I start getting tested?
• How often should I get tested?
• Which test would you recommend for me? Why?
• What’s involved in the screening? How do I prepare?
• What are the dangers or side effects?
• How long will it take to get the results?
• What can I do to reduce my risk of colorectal cancer?

Remember, HPSM covers the costs of regular colorectal screening tests as recommended by the federal government (US Preventive Services Task Force). You just need to take the important step of asking your doctor for the test.

Let's work together to prevent this cancer. That’s another important effort in the Healthy Fight!

Colorectal Cancer Risk Factors

A risk factor is something that may increase the chance of getting a disease. For colorectal cancer, some risk factors are behavioral, and can be avoided. Most cannot.

• Age: The risk of developing colorectal cancer increases as you get older. Most cases occur from age 60 and above. Cases before age 50 are rare, unless your family has a history of colorectal cancer.
• Personal history: If you had colorectal cancer once, you are at greater risk of developing it again. Women who have had cancer of the ovary, uterus, or breast are at higher risk of developing colorectal cancer.
• Family history: If your mother, father, brother, sister, or children had colorectal cancer, then you are at greater risk of developing the disease.
• Virus: If you have been exposed to the human papillomavirus (HPV), you may have greater risk of developing a form of colorectal cancer.
• Inflammatory bowel disease: If you have a history of chronic ulcerative colitis, you may have a higher risk of developing colorectal cancer.
• Environmental factors: Industrialized countries, such as the United States, Canada, and England, have higher rates of colorectal cancers. This may be the result of diet, since many lesser-developed countries have diets that are higher in fiber.

• Smoking: Smokers are at greater risk of dying from colorectal cancer than non-smokers: 40% of women smokers and 30% of male smokers who get colorectal cancer die from the disease.
• Diet: If you eat a lot of red and processed meat, you are at greater risk of colorectal cancer. A diet rich in fresh fruit, vegetables, poultry and fish decreases risk.
• Physical activity: If you have not been physically active throughout your life, you may be at greater risk for colorectal cancer.
• Alcohol consumption: The more you drink, the higher your risk of developing colorectal cancer.

• Cancer.gov
• Information from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) on Colorectal Cancer
• American Cancer Society Colon/Rectum Cancer Info  (en español)
• "Gut Check" from the National Institutes of Health (NIH)
• Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Awareness Month Page

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