Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer affecting Australians (after non-melanoma skin cancer) and the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths.
Guidelines for the Prevention, Early Detection and Management of Colorectal Cancer were released by the Minister for Health and Aged Care, Dr Michael Wooldridge, at the Annual Scientific Meeting of the Clinical Oncological Society of Australia at the end of November.
The guidelines contain up-to-date evidence about the prevention of colorectal cancer and the influence of a family history on the risk to an individual, as well as recommendations for screening to aid early detection and using radiotherapy and chemotherapy after surgery to improve outcomes for patients.
The guidelines were developed by the Australian Cancer Network, the Clinical Oncological Society of Australia and the National Cancer Control Initiative, with input from a wide range of medical, paramedical and consumer groups. They have been endorsed by the National Health and Medical Research Council.
"We still have a long way to go in the treatment and prevention of cancer, however we have made significant inroads," Dr Wooldridge said.
"These guidelines for doctors and health professionals are another achievement in our fight against the disease ensuring that best practice and the very latest scientific evidence are leading the approach."
Professor Bob Thomas, Chair of the Australian Cancer Network and COSA Colorectal Cancer Working Party said early detection of colorectal cancer improves survival. The guidelines summarise the evidence for annual testing of people aged over 50 with no symptoms and recommend that screening detects cancer early and would save lives.
"The guidelines present the best evidence for the management of colorectal cancer at this time, much of which has originated from world-class clinical trials and studies conducted in Australia," Professor Thomas said.
"However, while we are at the international forefront tackling colorectal cancer, knowledge of this disease is still lacking in our community.
"These guidelines together with the release of the consumer guidelines next year will help to remedy this and provide an impetus for early diagnosis and ultimately improve the life expectancy of sufferers."
Guidelines for general practitioners and a booklet for patients with bowel cancer and their families and friends will be finalised this year. The booklet has two sections: one for patients, which explains what bowel cancer is and the various tests and treatments available. The second is for families and friends, providing information on reducing the risk of bowel cancer, the importance of early detection, inherited bowel cancer, management of polyps and caring for someone with bowel cancer.
Guidelines for patients will be available from the National Cancer Control Initiative: (03) 9635 5108.
Genetics knowledge could pinpoint cancer risk
New knowledge of genetics suggests that up to 10 per cent of cancers may be due to an inherited predisposition to cancer.
Cancer experts recognise that family history is an important risk factor for common cancers.
Professor Richard Kefford, Chairman of the Australian Cancer Network's Cancer Genetics Working Party, said being able to detect individuals at high risk through analysis of their family history and/or gene testing would greatly assist cancer control in the future.
"Between five and 10 per cent of the common cancer in Australia are attributable to inherited cancer predisposition," Professor Kefford said.
"Thus the identification of individuals at high genetic risk of cancer, and the use of major advances in screening, surveillance and prevention, offers a real prospect of making an impact on cancer control in Australia."
In response to the major developments in cancer genetics during the past decade, and the increased public awareness of and demand for information about familial cancer, the Australian Cancer Network is developing national guidelines in cancer genetics.
The guidelines address the needs of people with proved or suspected familial predisposition to cancer. They are intended for doctors and health professionals who are caring for patients and families who may be at risk, as well as those who need information to advise patients seeking general advice about familial aspects of cancer.
Draft Guidelines on Familial Aspects of Cancer have been developed by the ACN following extensive consultation with genetics experts, professional medical bodies, cancer councils, health departments and consumers.
The Australian Cancer Network extends the outreach of the Australian Cancer Society to a large number of professional bodies for whom cancer is a major, though not necessarily an exclusive, interest. The Network has more than 70 member bodies and 900 members representing various medical and paramedical disciplines.
The ACN's main focus is developing guidelines and recommendations to ensure best practice and policy in prevention, early detection and effective treatment of cancer.
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