1. What You Need To
Know About
Colorectal Cancer
www.fightcolorectalcancer.org

2. Our Mission
Fight Colorectal Cancer demands a
cure for colon and rectal cancer.
We educate and support patients,
push for changes in policy that will
increase and improve research, and
empower survivors to raise their
voices against the status quo.

3. What you need to know

4. We have 3 goals
Patient Support and Awareness
We provide services to educate, assist, and inform
patients through our Answer Line, monthly webinars,
Fight Colorectal Cancer newsletter, e-news, and website.
Advocacy
We provide education and training for passionate people
to work with law makers and the research community.
Research
To date, we have given over $250,000 in research grants
through our Lisa Fund in hopes of finding a cure.

5. What is colorectal cancer
• Colorectal cancer is cancer that occurs in the colon or
rectum.
• Colorectal cancer usually starts from polyps in the colon
or rectum.
• A polyp is a small growth that over time can turn into
cancer. There are several different screening options
available.
• Screening tests can find polyps, so they can be removed
before they turn into cancer.
• Screening tests can also find colorectal cancer early,
when the chance of being cured is good.
The good news is that colorectal cancer is PREVENTABLE
if caught early.

6. What are the risk factors
The risk of colorectal cancer increases with age; more than
90% of people diagnosed with colorectal cancer are over
50 years old. Family history of polyps or colorectal cancer.
Personal history of polyps, colorectal cancer, inflammatory
intestinal conditions (ex: ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease,
etc), or inherited syndromes (ex: Lynch syndrome, Familial
Adenomatous Polyposis [FAP], etc)
A diet high in red meats (beef, pork, lamb), processed
meats, and fat can increase colorectal cancer risk.
Physical inactivity, obesity, smoking, and heavy alcohol use
are also linked to an increase risk for colorectal cancer.

7. What are some signs and symptoms
Although the signs can vary, common symptoms of colorectal cancer may
include the following:
•A change in bowel habits. Blood (either bright red or very dark) in the
stool. Diarrhea, constipation, or feeling that the bowel does not empty
completely.
•Stools that are narrower than usual .
•Frequent gas pains, bloating, fullness, or cramps.
•Weight loss for no known reason.
•Feeling very tired.
Check with your doctor if you are noticing any of these signs. Remember
colorectal cancer is preventable

8. How do you get screened
Regular screening, beginning at age 50, is the key to preventing colorectal
cancer. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends
screening for colorectal cancer with the following tests.
People at higher risk of developing colorectal cancer should begin screening
at a younger age, and may need to be tested more frequently. Stool test: This
method checks your bowel movements for blood.
Your doctor may recommended one of the following:
•fecal occult blood test (FOBT),
•fecal immunochemical test (FIT) and stool DNA test (sDNA).
•Sigmoidoscopy: This test uses a flexible small scope to look at the lower part
of your colon. This test looks at one-third of the large intestine (colon).
•Colonoscopy: A colonoscopy is similar to a sigmoidoscopy, but the entire
colon can be viewed. You will be mildly sedated during a colonoscopy.
If you’re over the age of 50, it’s time to talk to your medical provider to find
out which screening test or combination of tests is best for you.

9. Who can you call if you have questions?
• Call our toll-free Answer Line at 877-427-2111. You are not alone.
• We are for you and your family.
• We work with patients who need to be screened, who may have been
initially diagnosed with colorectal cancer to those facing ongoing
treatment.
• We support and enrich their discussions with their medical team.
• We help patients be their own best advocate so they can receive the best
treatment based on their type of cancer, how far it has spread, and other
important factors like your age and general health.
Answer Line associates stay as current as possible on both traditional
therapies (such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy), and
newer forms of treatment such as targeted therapy.
We refer patients to credible resources locally and nationally. For more
resources, visit www.FightColorectalCancer.org.

10. Free resources & tools
• Call our toll-free Answer Line at 877-427-2111 or email at
answerline@fightcolorectalcancer.org
• Online Blogs Read stories from survivors, treatment findings from
medical research, and policy news from Capitol Hill. This is a platform
for survivors to be heard and discuss all issues related to colorectal
cancer.
• Newsletters We reach over 250 cancer centers and hospitals across the
country with our quarterly newsletters. Each issue updates readers with
the latest news in treatment, research, and advocacy.
• Our e-news reaches 10,000 subscribers each month.
• Monthly Webinars We use technology to bring people together by hosting
free webinars once a month, with leading medical experts.
Patients may use iPhones and other mobile devices to connect, making
our program as accessible as possible.

11. Learn about our active online community
• Website: We have everything that you need in one place at
FightColorectalCancer.org, whether you wish to connect with others or
donate to our cause.
• We have over 1200 pages on the latest research, medical and
community news in colorectal cancer, discover new ways to help deal
with side effects, or find how to connect through events and activities.
• Social Media: Our presence in the realm of social media reaches people
across the country every day
We have over 7,000 Facebook friends and 2,000 plus Twitter followers.
Follow us on online, chat with other patients, survivors, and supporters, and
join our social community.
“Good News Tuesday”, our popular Facebook feature, allows us to lift
one another up and give hope by sharing inspirational stories.

12. Become an advocate!
Each year we host an annual event, “Call-on
Congress” in March for Colorectal Cancer Awareness
Month.
Survivors, families, friends, and those who have been
touched by this disease come together to rally and
unite behind a common cause. Attendees receive an
intensive training before they spend a day meeting
with their Congressional members and staff on Capitol
Hill.
By educating attendees, we empower them to be advocates. Our
advocates and staff work year around with lawmakers and leaders of our
country to support research funding and better access to treatment and
screening for patients and their families.
A direct result from Fight Colorectal Cancer’s advocacy efforts has been
$15 million dollars in Federal funding to support a peer-reviewed cancer
research program at the Department of Defense!

13. Funding Science
Established in 2006, our Lisa
Fund has raised hundreds of
thousands of dollars to
directly support the
innovative research in treating
late-stage colorectal cancer.

14. Getting behind the science
We are bridging the gap between advocacy and the research community.
The Research Advocate Training and Support (RATS) Program is open to all
advocates in the fight against colorectal cancer. This includes survivors
AND those touched by colorectal cancer. The goal of the training program is
to educate and improve the ability of champions in the community to
effectively participate in the research process.
Our RATS graduates continue to serve on various review panels that include:
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Cooperative Groups
Specialized Programs of Research Excellence (SPOREs)
Local Institutional Review Boards (IRBs) or Data Safety Monitoring Boards
(DSMBs)

15. How can YOU help? Join One Million Strong.
Give Hope:
We are in this together. You are not alone.
Spread Awareness:
Share your story. Be an advocate for change.
Redefine what is possible:
Take the pledge to get screened, raise awareness,
and save lives!
CRCMillionStrong.org

16. Collage of tools and link to PSA
OneMillion
Strong
Video
Library

17. Contact Us
Fight Colorectal Cancer
1414 Prince Street, Suite 204Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 548-1225 Toll-Free Answer Line: 1-877-427-2111
www.FightColorectalCancer.org
facebook.com/FightCRC
twitter.com/FightCRC
youtube.com/FightCRC
pinterest.com/FightCRC