An article published by WebMD on December 13, 2011 highlights a new study published by the Archives of Internal Medicine. The article highlighted some notable statistics:

• Between 1998 and 2007 colorectal cancer cases have dropped steadily in adults over 50, but they increased by more than 2% each ear in younger adults, as much as 4% for rectal cancers, and 3% for colon cancer.
• Younger adults were more likely than older adults to be diagnosed with late-stage cancers.
• People in their 30s were about 30% more likely than other age groups to be diagnosed with cancers in stage III or IV.
• When a patients in their 30s or 40s present with symptoms like bleeding, abdominal pain, or change in bowel habits doctors and patients alike are less like to suspect cancer and there fore diagnosis is delayed.

Advise to patients?

• Just because you’re under 50, doesn’t mean your not at risk
• If you have a family history, go talk to your doctor, especially if that relative got colon cancer before they were 50.

- Advise from Anthony, Starpoli, MD, a gastroenterolist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, as told to WebMD.

To read the full article published on December 13, visit WebMD.com.

Lynch Syndrome a genetic predisposition to certain types of cancer, including colon, rectal, pancreatic, intestinal and other cancers. Individuals with Lynch syndrome have an almost 80% lifetime risk of getting colon cancer.

Linda Warner, a Get Your Rear in Gear supporter, colon cancer survivor, and former board member for Lynch Syndrome International, is excited about this news. “This is the first study that shows a possible step that those living with Lynch Syndrome can do to prevent colorectal cancers.”

Watch the full story from the NBC Nightly News below. Or read the study as published in October 28 online edition of The Lancet (free registration is required).

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

For more information you can read a summary from the Boston Globe on Wednesday, October 19, and the news release from the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Or watch the video below from the study’s senior author, Matthew Meyerson, MD, PhD, of Dana-Farber and the Broad Institute.

The study was lead by Ninez Ponce of the University of California, Los Angeles, used U.S. Preventive Services Task Force guidelines at the time to determine if participants were getting screened according to recommendations. The information from the 2005 telephone survey of more than 30,000 adults under 65 in California found…

Fifty-one percent of all adults with no family history were screened according to guidelines, versus 71 percent who had a relative with colon cancer.

Compared with average-risk whites, Latinos with no family history of colon cancer were 26 percent less likely to say they had been screened. And those with a family history were 72 percent less likely than whites with a family history to get recommended screening.

You can read the entire study here (login required).

Or summary of study here (Reuters on NIH.gov).

Get Your Rear in Gear is trying to help spread the importance of screening for colorectal cancers to the community.  As part of a grant from the Twin Cities race, Get Your Rear in Gear worked with Marco Polo Advertising in Minnesota to produce an information video for the Spanish-speaking community.

Please share this video with the Spanish-speaking people in your life.

Dr. Janette Gaw (right) with her Fort Myers co-chair Vera Owens at the Get Your Rear in Gear Fort Myers

Other important points raised by Dr. Gaw include:

• Early stage colon cancer has a 90% cure rate
• Colon cancer has little to no symptoms in the early stages
• Colonoscopies save lives

“I don’t think I’ve ever had anybody tell me ‘I wish I never had a colonoscopy.’ You know, most the time they wake up, ‘oh my god, we’re done?! that was easy,’” says Dr. Gaw.

Read the entire story at NBC-2.com or watch the video from the story below.

Also enjoy a video with Dr. Gaw following the Get Your Rear in Gear race in Fort Myers.

Case for Colonoscopy from Lee Memorial Health System on Vimeo.

The study was published in the Nutrition and Cancer journal. Lead author of the study Yessina Tantamongo, MD,  summarized in a media release from the university:

“While a majority of past research has focused on broad food groups, such as fruits and vegetables, in relation to colon cancer, our study focused on specific foods, as well as more narrowed food groups, in relation to colon polyps, a precursor to colon cancer. Our study confirms the results of past studies that have been done in different populations analyzing risks for colon cancer.”

You can read the summary of the study here.

According to the American Cancer Society, three factors include:

1.    Colorectal screening rates – a lower utilization of screening rates has been found in southern states.
2.    Insurance coverage – individuals in poorer/rural neighborhoods are less likely to receive treatment based on a lack of insurance.
3.    Health/Lifestyle: Smoking and obesity are proven risk factors for colorectal cancer, both of which are prevalent in southern states, compared to other regions.

To read more about this issue, you can read the entire article here.

In this issue the CDC reports:

• Between 2003 and 2007, approximately 66,000 colorectal cancer cases were prevented and 32,000 lives were saved compared to 2002. Half of these prevented cases and deaths were due to screening.
• Screening rates are still too low.
• As of 2010, 1 in 3 adults between the ages of 50 and 75 are not up-to-date with recommended colorectal cancer screening.

Read the entire issue of Vital Signs here. Then share what you learn with your family and friends to increase the screening rates and save more lives.

Researchers from the NYU  Langone Medical Center found that even low intensity exercise such as walking can have a significant impact on one’s risk for developing pre-cancerous polyps.

Read the story from the Los Angeles Times here.

Walkers in a recent Get Your Rear in Gear event. One hour of exercise per week may reduce the risk of colon polyps by one-third. Photo by Gary Westlund.

WCCO TV is also the media sponsor for the Twin Cities event.