Thousands of Americans could be at high risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) but not realize it. Studies show that people with an immediate family member with CRC are two to four times more likely to develop the disease compared to those who don’t have such family history. But, according to a new survey by Reese Pharmaceuticals. 80% of U.S. adults do not know whether they have a first-degree relative who has been diagnosed with CRC.
Reese’s survey also found most consumers remain unaware of over-the-counter fecal immunochemical tests (FIT), and only 3% of consumers say they have ever used them. While colonoscopy is the gold standard for CRC testing, many people skip them because they are uncomfortable and inconvenient.
Knowing about personal risk and OTC tests for colorectal cancer could save lives.
FIT tests are a way to detect hidden blood in the stool, a key warning sign of colorectal cancer (among other conditions the disease. A majority of those surveyed also said they would reach out to their doctor if an at-home test came back positive. This suggests doctors and pharmacists should be educated about these tests.
“The data proves there is a significant gap in awareness that could be contributing to an increase in colorectal cancer rates. Knowing your family history is crucial because the information can be used to determine how early and often you need to get screened, which can aid in prevention and treatment,” said Jeff Reese, president at Reese Pharmaceutical.
The lifetime risk of developing colorectal cancer is about 1 in 23 for men and 1 in 25 for women and it is mostly a disease of older people. But in an alarming trend, CRC has been increasing among young people. Colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer deaths among men under the age of 50 and the second leading cause for women in the same age group. For younger people, rates have increased by 1% to 2% each year since the mid-1990s.
To encourage people to be more proactive in learning about their family’s history of colorectal cancer, Reese is launching a new educational campaign, “Know Your CRC History.” The social media campaign will encourage the public to share stories on Facebook and Instagram using the hashtag #MyCRChistory.
It will also include information on the various colorectal cancer screening tools now available, including at-home FIT tests results. A recent study by Kaiser Permanente found that FIT test screening reduced the overall risk of colon cancer death by 33%.
“The early detection and monitoring of colorectal cancer is beneficial in reducing mortality rates by detecting cancer at an earlier, more treatable stage,” said Bernard Esquivel, MD, PhD, CMO at ixlayer. “As a physician with extensive experience in patient care, I can attest that fecal-based tests are a well-documented and widely accepted practice.”
For the survey, Reese Pharmaceutical commissioned Persuadable Research Corporation to poll 1,250 U.S. adults ages 35–75 in different regions of the country online in 2023. The results represent an equal mix of men and women with various demographic characteristics (household income, education, race/ethnicity).
