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Colon cancer survivors promote early detection, screenings
By Janice Youngwith
This is one cancer you can prevent!
That's the message Phyliss Strezo and Trisha Simon - both nurses with a personal colon cancer story - share on a regular basis with friends, family and patients.
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| Phyliss Strezo |
Real Women Wear Blue
The color blue and blue ribbons are associated with colon cancer-raising awareness about the risks of colon cancer and the need for screening and early detection.
High fat intake, alcohol, smoking, family history of colon cancer or polyps and age are important factors for developing colon cancer. Early detection and removal of polyps prevents occurrence of colon cancer.
Each March, Northwest Suburban ACS volunteers, both men and women, wear blue to help raise awareness about the risk of colorectal cancer and the need for screening. This spring, Trisha Simon and members of the NW Suburban Women's Cancer coalition reached out to 1600 additional community members, with more than 3700 receiving lifesaving information.
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"Screening and early detection can save lives," says Strezo, 58, a St. Alexius Medical Center nurse for nearly 30 years who knows first hand that screening can find colorectal cancer at an early stage, when the odds of a full recovery are high.
"I knew the guidelines and the value of having routine screenings, but like many I thought I was feeling too good to worry about scheduling and procrastinated," admits Strezo, a longtime Streamwood resident. "I was diagnosed with uterine wall cancer in 2007 and had a hysterectomy, but it was my sister's sudden death later that year which prompted me to schedule the colonoscopy."
According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer is cancer that develops in the colon (large intestine) or the rectum - often slowly over a period of many years. Before a true cancer develops, it usually begins as a noncancerous polyp, which may eventually change into cancer.
The only screening method that allows for the removal of polyps before cancer develops is colonoscopy, a test Strezo had been putting off.
The patient care services information specialist says she ultimately scheduled the screening and was among the lucky ones. During the course of her colonoscopy, doctors found and removed three suspicious polyps - one that was positive for colon cancer.
"It was at a very early stage," says Strezo, who had colon resection surgery last December to remove the cancerous area. "You never think anything is going to happen to you. Now I tell others to do the screening so they can have a chance for the same miracle as I experienced."
ACS experts say the good news is that death rates are declining from colorectal cancer. The bad news, they add, is that like Strezo, only about half of those who should be screened are doing so.
The ACS recommends colorectal screening for all men and women at average risk beginning at the age of 50. People at a higher risk for colorectal cancer, including those with a personal family history of colorectal cancer, adenomatous polyps or a personal history of inflammatory bowel disease, may need to be screened earlier and more often. There are several screening tests for colorectal cancer and, according to the ACS, people should discuss with their physician which tests are right for them.
Colorectal cancer risk increases with age, with more than 90 percent of cases diagnosed in individuals aged 50 and older. Studies indicate that men and women who are overweight are more likely to develop and die from colorectal cancer, and a diet high in red or processed meat is known to increase risk.
"Colorectal cancer is a preventable and highly treatable cancer when caught at an early stage," Strezo notes. "Routine screening can save lives. It saved mine."
Living with colon cancer
Trisha Simon is another suburban nurse who knows the odds well. The 12-year oncology nurse and Bartlett mother of two was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer three years ago.
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| Trisha Simon of Bartlett, pictured with her family, was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer three years ago. |
About colon cancer
Colorectal cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer and the third leading cause of cancer death in both men and women in the United States. Approximately 50,000 people die from it annually.
The American Cancer Society says that in 2008 nearly 108,070 new cases of colon cancer (53,760 in men and 54,310 in women) and 40,740 new cases of rectal cancer (23,490 in men and 17,250 in women) were diagnosed.
Overall, the lifetime risk for developing colorectal cancer is about one in 19 (5.4 percent). This risk is slightly higher in men than in women.
It typically develops in the lower part of the digestive system, also known as the gastrointestinal system. The digestive tract processes food and rids the body of solid waste. Colon cancer usually develops from precancerous changes or growths (polyps) in the lining of the colon and rectum.
Because colorectal cancer doesn't always cause symptoms, you can look healthy and feel fine and not know there may be a problem. The only way to know is by getting screened. Screening can find precancerous polyps, so they can be removed before they turn into cancer.
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Though just 36, the Hanover Township Center nurse says her experience has taught her that if you don't have your health, you have nothing.
"We have wonderful diagnostic tools and doctors," says Simon, who believes everything happens for a reason and uses her illness to encourage others to get tested for colon cancer. "There's really no excuse to ignore symptoms and screening guidelines."
Simon says it was abdominal pains which first sent her to the emergency room during a Colorado family vacation.
"I didn't have a family history of colon cancer and I wasn't at high risk," recalls the Wisconsin native. "Colon cancer simply wasn't on my radar."
Simon returned to Chicago. Subsequent testing at Alexian Brothers Medical Center, Elk Grove, led to colon resection surgery and chemotherapy.
"It was rough and my heart suffered from the effects of the chemotherapy," Simon explains. "But living with colon cancer has become a lifestyle. I'm determined to keep moving forward."
Simon has had three surgeries to remove malignancies - one had complications resulting in meningitis - and says she hasn't gone more than a couple of months without weekly chemotherapy since that time, because every time her disease goes into remission, it recurs without the chemo.
"My husband, Jeff, and I are very open with our sons," she explains. "They often come to doctor appointments and my 4-year-old is starting to better understand some of the changes."
As a Bartlett firefighter now on medical leave, Simon says it's often neighbors and station colleagues who step in to help transport the kids to and from Little League games, golf lessons, swim class or karate when she isn't feeling well.
"We are so fortunate to have so many friends, family members, neighbors and parishioners from Lutheran Church of the Atonement in Barrington who all have rallied in support," she notes.
Due in part to their family's cancer experience, the Simons are in the final stages of creating a not-for-profit foundation dedicated to helping others.
Simon says it is her vision to offer emotional and well-being support through the foundation to those whose lives are disrupted by a health crisis; to provide financial and health educational resources; and to honor a student pursuing a career in the health industry with a scholarship.
Learn more about colon cancer
To learn more about colorectal cancer prevention, visit the American Society of Gastroenterology colorectal cancer awareness Web site at www.screen4coloncancer.org.
The site offers information on disease facts, screening options, what to expect during a colonoscopy, frequently asked questions, the latest news about colorectal cancer such as studies and statistics, links to patient support and advocacy groups, educational videos, and how to find a qualified doctor in your area.
An informative patient education video walking patients through what they need to know before, during and after a colonoscopy is available at www.screen4coloncancer.org.
For free colon cancer information and support by cancer information specialists, call (800) 227-2345 or visit www.cancer.org.
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