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Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America Launches Education Campaign to Increase Awareness of Connection Between Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Colorectal Cancer During Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

Posted on: Thursday, 10 March 2005, 09:00 CST

NEW YORK, March 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) announced the launch of 'Know Your A,B,C,C's: Be Aware of the link Between Colitis, Crohn's and Colorectal Cancer,' an educational campaign aimed at raising awareness about the increased risk for colorectal cancer (CRC) among patients with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis (UC), collectively known as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)(1). The campaign is a result of an October 2004 scientific workshop attended by experts around the world to discuss the connection between colorectal cancer and IBD. The proceedings from this consensus workshop are published in the March 2005 issue of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.

Findings from the workshop not only draw the connection between IBD and increased incidence of CRC, but also highlight the necessity for people with IBD to educate themselves about their risk factors and enroll in a prevention plan that includes regular surveillance colonoscopic examinations.

"Because the risk for developing colorectal cancer increases beginning about eight years after the onset of IBD, even if the disease is in remission, it is imperative people seek screenings more frequently, approximately every one to two years(1)," said Steven H. Itzkowitz, MD, the Dr. Burrill B. Crohn Professor of Medicine in the Division of Gastroenterology at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York City. "Regular examinations allow for early detection and vital treatment for colorectal cancer -- a potentially fatal disease."

The Know Your A,B,C,C's campaign will seek to inform the public through educational materials and seminars about the need for enhanced colorectal screening and the importance of regular annual surveillance colonoscopy. As part of the effort, CCFA's Web site, http://www.ccfa.org/ , will feature a Webcast about IBD and colorectal cancer with three of the foremost experts in the field. Visitors also will find a downloadable brochure, as well as information about the time and location of educational seminars taking place around the country, hosted by local CCFA chapters.

"Through the Know Your A,B,C,C's campaign, we hope to help people with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis understand their risk for developing colorectal cancer," said Rodger L. DeRose, President and CEO of the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America. "With increased awareness of this connection, IBD patients can initiate or maintain an open dialogue with their physicians and discuss their personal and family history of colorectal cancer as well as symptoms and medications, which are crucial components to cancer prevention."

Each year, in the United States, 147,000 new cases of colorectal cancer are diagnosed and more than 57,000 people die(2) from the disease -- making it the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in this country(3). Statistics also show that more than one million Americans have Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, illnesses that can unwittingly put many at a higher risk for developing colorectal cancer than that of the general population(4).

Although colorectal cancer cannot be prevented, there are a number of preventive measures that people with IBD can take to lessen the risk for colorectal cancer. Surveillance colonoscopy is key. According to some experts, medications used to treat inflammation of the colon -- sulfasalazine (example: Azulfidine(R)) and mesalamine (examples: Asacol(R), Pentasa(R), Colazal(R), and Dipentum(R)) -- also may lower these patients' risk for developing colon cancer. Finally, as with the general population, exercise and healthy nutrition also may play a role.

About CCFA

The Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America's (CCFA) mission is to cure and prevent Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis through research, and to improve the quality of life of children and adults affected by these digestive diseases through education and support. For more information, contact CCFA at 800-932-2423 or visit http://www.ccfa.org/ .

This education program was made possible by an unrestricted grant from Procter & Gamble Pharmaceuticals.

References:

(1) Itzkowitz, SH, Harpaz, N. Diagnosis and management of dysplasia in

patients with inflammatory bowel diseases. Gastroenterology.

2004;126:1634-1648.

(2) National Cancer Institute. Cancer Facts: Colorectal Cancer Screening:

Questions and Answers. Web site: http://cis.nci.nih.gov/fact/5_31.htm .

Assessed January 31, 2005.

(3) Medline Plus. Colorectal Cancer: Facts on Screening.

Web site: http://www.medicare.gov/Publications/Pubs/pdf/11012.pdf .

Assessed January 31, 2005.

(4) Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis: Understanding Colorectal

Cancer. Web site:

http://www.ccfa.org/frameviewer/?url=/media/pdf/cancer.pdf .

Assessed 1/27/05.

Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America

CONTACT: Media, Danielle Brown of Manning Selvage & Lee,+1-212-468-3194, or Danielle.Brown@mslpr.com

Web site: http://www.ccfa.org/http://cis.nci.nih.gov/fact/5_31.htmhttp://www.medicare.gov/Publications/Pubs/pdf/11012.pdfhttp://www.ccfa.org/frameviewer/?url=/media/pdf/cancer.pdf

Source: PRNewswire

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