Our Approach to Colorectal Cancer Care
Colorectal cancer is cancer that occurs in the colon or rectum. Abnormal growths, or polyps, found in the colon or rectum may turn into cancer over time.
Risk factors for colorectal cancer include:
- Age - most cases occur in people age 50 and older
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Personal or family history
- Inherited syndromes, the most common being Lynch Syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis
Lifestyle risk factors include:
- Being overweight or obese
- Physical inactivity
- Diets high in red or processed meats
- Smoking
- Alcohol use
Screening is very important for early detection of colorectal cancer. Current recommendations are that colorectal cancer screening begins at age 50, and may be recommended earlier for individuals who have a family history or other risk factors. Screening tests include stool tests, colonoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy, or virtual colonoscopy. Patients should discuss screening with their physician.
If a patient is diagnosed with colon cancer, CAMC's team of medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, surgeons and nurses work together to support patients through the process of treatment and recovery.
What Sets Us Apart
Pre-Treatment Clinic
The CAMC Cancer Pre-Treatment Clinic includes members of our CARE team, which consist of the following: nurse navigator, financial navigator, dietitian, social worker, and a nurse practitioner or physician assistant.
Patients will receive helpful education and information about their treatment, and additional referrals will be made once barriers are identified. This clinic gives the patients the opportunity to ask questions and discuss concerns.
The patient is provided with a personalized care plan and a survivorship plan to share with other medical providers.
Quality Care
CAMC's Cancer Services are certified by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer, and CAMC participates in the QOPI quality oncology practice initiative thru the American Society of Clinical Oncology.
Working Together to Advance Care
CAMC strongly supports a multidisciplinary approach for your cancer care. Cases are presented at tumor board, also known as the cancer conference.
The goal of the cancer conference is to ensure that all important information (testing, treatment options and recommendations) are generated and discussed in this multidisciplinary approach.
Members that are present for these tumor conferences are medical, radiation and surgical oncologists, as well as pathologists and diagnostic radiologists. Others present include oncology nurses, palliative care specialists, pharmacists, psychologists and an array of other medical professionals.
Currently, CAMC is working with the American Cancer Society on a Hospital System Capacity Building Community of Practice Initiative to increase awareness of and opportunities for colorectal cancer screening.
