While it has never received the public attention of breast or prostate cancer; colon/rectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States, with 130 new cases and 57,000 deaths each year.

So it's shocking that colon/rectal cancer is also one of the easiest cancers to treat. More than 90 percent of patients survive five years after the initial diagnosis when the disease is detected in its early stages.

These facts make it fairly obvious that the lack of attention that up to now been paid to this silent killer is a factor in its high death rate.

Because they aren't aware of the risk, tens of thousands of people avoid the simple procedures that could save their life.

"We have greater potential to save lives from colon/rectal cancer than breast cancer and we've neglected this opportunity for too long," said Dr. Robert Smith of American Cancer Society.

Who should be screened for colon/rectal cancer?

Since nine out of ten cancers are in people 50 years and older, they should be screened on a regular basis.

Men and women who have a personal or family history of inflammatory bowel disease might need to be screened before the age 50.

Women who have a personal or family history of ovarian, endometrial or breast cancer may need to be screened early also.

The most thorough test procedure is colonoscopy, a visual examination of the rectum and entire colon that is performed in a hospital or clinic.

The National Colon/rectal Cancer Awareness Month (NCCAW), a coalition of medical organizations, recommends this test to be taken every five years. A fecal occult blood test is a simple chemical test that can be taken in the privacy of one's home.

The NCCAW recommends this test be taken every year. The NCCAW is planning a major awareness campaign for the year 2000 and the U.S. Senate has declared March 2000 as the first National Colon/rectal Cancer Awareness Month.

Colon/rectal cancer begins in either the colon or rectum, part of the digestive track where food is processed to create energy. Before a true cancer develops, tissue growths called polyps often occur in the lining of the colon or rectum.

Removing the polyp early may prevent it from becoming cancerous. Risk factors for colon/rectal cancer include aging (nine out of ten cases develop in people above the age of 50), a high-fat diet, family history and physical inactivity.

In many cases, the disease can be detected early.

Warning signs include:

• A change in bowel habits such as constipation or narrowing of the stool.
• A feeling that you need to have a bowel movement that doesn't go away.
• Bleeding from the rectum or blood in the stool, stomach pain and decreased appetite

One of the signs of colon/rectal cancer and other bowel trouble is blood in the stool. But in the early stages, blood is present in such small amounts that it is not visible to the naked eye.

That is the reason for the growing popularity of stool blood tests that can be used in the privacy of the home to detect hidden blood.

The first generation of tests required that patients handle the stool, which is unpleasant and may expose the patient to non-A and B hepatitis.

The latest kits make it possible to conduct the test simply by tossing a biodegradable test pad directly in the toilet after a bowel movement.

If blood is present, a blue-green color appears on the test pad.

There are a number of similar over-the-counter products that are available to perform stool blood tests in the privacy of the home.

An example is EZ Detect™ from Biomerica. The suggested retail price of EZ Detect™ is $11 per kit and the product is readily available at major chain drug stores nationwide including Long Drugs, CVS, Walgreens, Osco and Sav-On.

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