When educating residents of a senior citizen living facility, the nurse should review which of the following information about colorectal cancer? Select all that apply

Question

A) Aspirin and NSAIDs are implicated in the etiology of colorectal cancer.
B) Seek out medication attention for any blood in the stool.
C) Most cases are quite advanced before symptoms become apparent.
D) Survival rates for colorectal cancer are less than 20% but are increasing.
E) Yearly colonoscopy is recommended for early detection after age 40.

Answer 1

Ans: B, C
Feedback:
Clinical manifestations of colorectal cancer are often not apparent until later stages. Almost all cancers of the colon and rectum bleed intermittently, although the amount of blood is small and usually does not apparent in the stools. It therefore is feasible to screen for colorectal cancers using commercially prepared tests for occult blood in the stool. Aspirin and NSAIDs may protect against colorectal cancer; it does not have an infectious etiology. Five-year survival rates are close to 90% to 100% if the cancer is found in the early (stage I) stages. It is recommended that persons at average risk for colonic adenomatous polyps or cancer should undergo colonoscopy every 10 years or alternative screening tests at periodically prescribed intervals beginning at age 50.