1. Module 4: Colorectal Cancer
Instructor
Janice Edenfield, LPN, CGN, MBA
Unit 3: Major Cancers, Prevention, & Staging

2. Objectives 1. To define Colorectal Cancer (CRC).
2. To know the statistics related to CRC.
3. Be able to identify the risk factors of CRC.
4. What are the signs and symptoms?
5. Know the prevention methods.
6.What are the forms of screening and the intervals for these?
7. What is the treatment for CRC?
8. What is the role of the nurse?

3. Introduction
1. Colorectal cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers.
Second only to lung cancer with 147,500 cases per year.
57,000 deaths per year. African Americans have the highest incidence and mortality rate.
2. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is primarily a disease of the older adult. The average age is 67 of diagnosis.
90% age 50 and older
6% younger than age 50
Unit 3: Major Cancers, Prevention, & Staging

4. Risk Factors 1. Increasing age 2. Personal history of polyps or CRC
3. Family history of polyps or CRC
Doubled if first degree relative or sibling
4. Personal history of Inflammatory Disease (IBD) or Ulcerative colitis (UC)
5. Behavioral: Smoking, obesity, alcohol
6. Nutrition: A high-fat diet

5. Signs and Symptoms 1. Rectal bleeding 2. Blood in stool
3. Change in bowel habits, change in size, shape or color of stool
4. Tenesmus
5. Abdominal cramping or pain
6. Fatigue

6. Prevention 1.CRC is preventable.
2. Starts small and takes several years to develop so screening is very important.
3. Eat a diet low in animal fat, drinking alcohol in moderation, healthy weight and no smoking.
4. Exercise

7. Screening
1. The National Cancer Institute estimates 20 – 30 thousand lives saved each year by screening colonoscopies.
2. Only 40% of individuals aged 50 or over get screened per CDC.
3. Fecal occult blood tests, flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, and BE are all screening test.

8. ACS guidelines for Early Detection
1. Yearly fecal occult blood test.
2. Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years at age 40.
3. Colonoscopy every 10 years.
Double-contrast Barium Enema every 5 years.
This is for people who have no polyps.

9. Treatment 1. Colonoscopy to view colon, remove polyps or do biopsy.
2. Await pathology report.
3. If cancer, then staging occurs
What is the depth of the tumor?
Has the cancer metastasized to another area?
Are the lymph nodes involved?

10. Treatment continued: 4. Order CAT Scan and possible PET Scan.
5. EUS ( Endoscopicultrasound)
6. Surgical consult verses Oncology consult.
7. The role of the nurse
8. Follow-up care

11. The Role of the Nurse: A Pivotal Role
CRC is very treatable. Therefore: Educating PCP’s, Patients and The community can save Lives!
The Role of the Nurse: A Pivotal Role