Welcome to the message library for patients with advanced adenomas and/or colon and rectal cancer.
This library is intended for you to use as you wish to help you communicate with first degree relatives about your condition and to help encourage them to take critical steps to prevent colon and rectal cancer through education and screening. First degree relatives include your parents, siblings, and children. These represent people who may be at higher risk for colon and rectal cancer given your diagnosis.
It can be difficult to find the right words to use and to share complete and correct information about your condition and the need for prevention and possible screening for colon and rectal cancer with your loved ones. Please consider this message library as a resource. You can review messages to get an idea about how you would like to talk about colon and rectal cancer diagnoses and screening. You can also feel free to copy and paste these messages directly into a text message, e-mail, or social media post that you share with your family member.
We have grouped messages into four topic areas. You can click on any of the links here for examples of how to talk about each topic and it will bring you to messages on that topic for you to use.
Raising Awareness with your loved ones about colon and rectal cancer basics and your colonoscopy findings
- What are polyps?
- What is colon and rectal cancer?
- What are precancerous polyps?
- How do I start the conversation about first-degree family members’ risks for precancerous polyps and developing colon and rectal cancer?
What do my first-degree relatives need to know about my colonoscopy findings?
- Tubular adenomas or sessile serrated polyps
- Advanced adenomas, tubulovillous or villous adenomas, large polyps (>1cm)
- Colon or rectal cancer diagnosis
- How do I get screened for colon and rectal cancer?
- What are the age recommendations for colon and rectal cancer screening?
Building Skills among your family members so they can successfully screen for colon and rectal cancer
- How to access care
- How to discuss colon and rectal cancer with your provider
- How to discuss colonoscopy versus other screening tests (FIT/FOBT, Cologuard, Sigmoidoscopy) based on increased/high risk
- Preparing for your colon and rectal cancer screening colonoscopy
Increasing family members’ willingness to screen
- Reducing disparities in colon and rectal cancer
- Promoting colon and rectal cancer screening among your first-degree family members
- Promoting colon and rectal cancer screening among your community members
Increasing support for your family members to screen
I need to share information about:
What are polyps?
Message
Can you guess what this is a picture of?
- inside an ear
- inside someone’s nose
- growths inside someone’s colon
I need to tell you about my visit to the doctor–l learned I have polyps, which are growths inside my colon. It means I’m at risk for colon cancer. The good news is that they were removed and I’m well!
I had a procedure called a colonoscopy and they found some growths on my colon called polyps. These can eventually turn into colon cancer, but luckily the doctor removed them and I am doing great
Second Message
The answer is 3, growths inside a colon–these are called polyps (pronounced “paul lips”) and I have them! This means I’m at risk for colon and rectal cancer
What is colon and rectal cancer?
Check this out—it has a lot of good info! https://www.cdc.gov/dotw/colorectalcancer/index.html#
Did you know Tommy Chong (from Cheech and Chong) had colon cancer? And now he’s a survivor, doing well. Check this out: https://tinyurl.com/yjxdssnu
Wow, I guess we’ve come a long way in fighting colon and rectal cancer! It is now one of the most preventable types of cancer–with the right screening that is.
What are precancerous polyps?
Test your knowledge!
How long will it typically take for some growths in the colon or rectum that are not harmful to become something dangerous (cancerous?)
The answer is 7 to 10 years. That means we have an awesome opportunity to intervene by doing a colonoscopy and removing the polyps!
Learn more: https://tinyurl.com/ydwxfbpd
How do I start the conversation about first-degree family members’ risks for precancerous polyps and developing colon and rectal cancer?
OK, I have some news for you–since I have had polyps (growths in my colon) that are the kind that can develop into cancer and I’m your (Dad, Mom, Sister, Brother, Son, Daughter) you may also have them too. But there’s good news too, they can be removed and cancers prevented. I need you to talk to your doctor about starting screening with colonoscopy. Tell your doctor, I am (age) and had a precancerous polyps to understand when you should start getting a colonoscopy,
You know you mean the world to me. So, because I have had polyps, you may have them too because you’re my (Dad, Mom, Sister, Brother, Son, Daughter). Will you promise me you’ll talk to your doctor about the need for a colonoscopy? Write this down and make sure and tell the doctor your (dad mom sister brother) had precancerous polyps at (age). Tell me how I can help you make the appt.
Let’s all make a commitment this year–we’re going to do everything we can to support each other. I’m doing everything I can to prevent colon and rectal cancer, and I want you to do the same. Since you’re my (Dad, Mom, Sister, Brother, Son, Daughter) you may need to take the same steps as me and get a colonoscopy, you need to talk to your doctor because I was (age) when they found my precancerous polyp(s).
What do my first-degree relatives need to know about my colonoscopy findings? – tubular adenomas or sessile serrated polyps
I had a growth called a polyp removed from my colon/rectum. This polyp was benign (not cancer) and is called a tubular adenoma. If not removed, this could have grown larger and over many years turned into colon or rectal cancer.
I had a number of growths removed from my colon; my Dr. tells me they are called “tubular adenomas” and they might have turned into cancer. I’m so glad I got that colonoscopy! We can beat colon and rectal cancer if we catch it early.
I had a growth called a polyp removed from my colon/rectum. This polyp is called a sessile serrated polyp. If not removed, this could have grown larger and over many years turned into colon or rectal cancer.
Guess what? I had something called a “sessile serrated polyp“–No, it isn’t a new gourmet food I got to try for lunch. It’s actually a growth in my colon/rectum that the Dr. removed.
When you hear “sessile serrated polyp” what do you think of?
- some strange new tool for the woodshop
- a new type of clothing
- just tell me already
OK, I’ll humor you. Sessile serrated polyps are growths on the colon/rectum and I just had some removed. Lucky me! The good news is that if you get them early, they probably won’t grow into a cancer
What do my first-degree relatives need to know about my colonoscopy findings? – advanced adenomas, tubulovillous or villous adenoma, large polyp (>1cm)
My doctor removed an advanced adenoma from my colon/rectum. The specific name is tubular adenoma with high grade dysplasia. This is a high-risk polyp. Because I had this advanced adenoma, family members (your: parents, siblings children) may also be at increased risk of polyps and colon and rectal cancer. People who are high risk will need a colonoscopy. You may need to start colon and rectal cancer screening at a younger age than usual, please talk to your doctor about this!
My doctor removed an advanced adenoma from my colon/rectum. The specific name is tubulovillous or villous adenoma. This is a high-risk polyp. Because I had this advanced adenoma, family members (you: parents, siblings children) may also be at increased risk of polyps and colon and rectal cancer. You may need to start colon and rectal cancer screening at a younger age than usual- please talk to your doctor about this! People who are high risk will need a colonoscopy for screening.
My doctor removed an advanced adenoma from my colon. This polyp is high risk because of its large size >1cm (larger than a pea). Because I had this advanced adenoma, family members (you: parents, siblings children) may also be at increased risk of polyps and colon and rectal cancers. You may need to start colon and rectal cancer screening at a younger age than usual- please talk to your doctor about this!
What do my first-degree relatives need to know about my colonoscopy findings? – colon or rectal cancer diagnosis
I have some news for you—I have been diagnosed with colorectal cancer, which is a very common type of cancer. I’m your (Dad, Mom, Sister, Brother, Son, Daughter) and colorectal cancer can run in families. But there’s good news too, colorectal cancer can often be found early or prevented with colonoscopy. I need you to talk to your doctor about starting screening with colonoscopy. Tell your doctor, I am (age) and have been diagnosed with colorectal cancer so they can tell you about when is the right age to begin screening.
I know you’ve heard the news that I have been diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Thank you for thinking of me but because I also care about you, as your (sister, parent, sibling), I need you to know that colorectal cancer can run in families, I need you to talk to your doctor very soon about if you need a colonoscopy soon or when you should start screening since I am now (age), you might need to start getting colonoscopies sooner than I did.
How do I get screened for colon and rectal cancer?
A colonoscopy is an exam where doctors can detect anything out of the ordinary in your colon or rectum. Yep, they’ll put a tube up your rectum and take pictures, what fun! But most of the time you won’t be aware of what is happening and the payoff for peace of mind to take care of any problems is invaluable.
What are the age recommendations for colon and rectal cancer screening?
Myth/Fact: colon and rectal cancer is on the rise among younger people (<50 years)t
Regardless of response:
I learned this at the clinic. Colon and rectal cancer is increasing in young people–and since I’m at risk, so are you! Learn more: http://nyti.ms/2ll4Ia5
How to access care.
I want you to take action for your wellness to ensure a healthy and long life! Call 1-833-350-1113 and my patient navigator will help you plan for a colonoscopy.
How to discuss colon and rectal cancer with your provider
Tell your provider that I have [insert diagnosis here and age]. Then they can let you know the right steps for you to take care of yourself. Can I count on you to do this?
I want to support you to get screened for colon and rectal cancer. Can I help you make an appointment with your provider, go with you, or something else? Let me know!
How to discuss colonoscopy versus other screening tests (FIT/FOBT, Cologuard, Sigmoidoscopy) based on increased/high risk
There are a couple of different types of tests for colon and rectal cancer. However, for people like our family who are at increased risk because of my precancerous polyps or a diagnosis of colon and rectal cancer, colonoscopy is the only type of cancer that should be used to screen people like us. At home stool tests like the FIT/FOBT or Cologuard are only appropriate for average risk people.
Have you seen the TV commercials about Cologuard? The testing of your stool and the walking and talking box? That’s a great test for the average risk population, but we are increased risk for colon and rectal cancer based on my diagnosis of (advanced adenoma or cancer), we have to have a colonoscopy! It’s the right test for people who are at increased risks like us.
Preparing for your colon and rectal cancer screening colonoscopy
The preparation for my colonoscopy was challenging, but doable–and so important! I can help you get through it, the liquid diet, staying near the toilet and fasting!
OK here’s the down and dirty on colonoscopy! Take a look: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBraB8Oe9Fk
It’s always great to hear from people who have experienced things first hand. Check out this story from someone who had a colonoscopy: https://tinyurl.com/yzp4oter
Reducing disparities in colorectal cancer
Did you know? People of color are more likely to have and die from colon and rectal cancer. We can reverse that trend–now that I know I’m at higher risk I want everyone in our family to get screened.
There’s no good reason for anyone to have colon or rectal cancer these days–but sadly, more minority communities are affected. Help me break that trend–get screened!
Promoting colorectal cancer screening among your first-degree family members
Which of these are reasons you haven’t yet been screened for colon and rectal cancer?
- no insurance
- no time
- fear discomfort
- no transportation
- no childcare
Let’s make a plan to celebrate when [name all FDR] have all completed their screening for colon and rectal cancer this year! What should we do?
I’m pledging now to get screened regularly for colon and rectal cancer. I want to be there for[name a future event]
I’m here for you and want to help. I can …[respond to specific concerns here]
Promoting colorectal cancer screening among your community members
It’s hard to believe, but some cancer survivors like Denise were younger than 50 when diagnosed w/ rectal cancer–taking action helped her survive–learn more about her story and others here: https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/colorectal/basic_info/stories.htm
Increasing appreciation for receiving support
Check out all these stories about colonoscopies! All these people are inspirational: https://www.uwhealth.org/coloncancerscreening/patient-testimonials/29305
I probably wouldn’t have had a colonoscopy if I didn’t have so much motivation to stick around for you and [name others] that are so important to me. Thank you for being such an important part of my life
Increasing appreciation for offering support
I’m thinking of posting my own story about my polyps here: https://coloncancercoalition.org/community/stories/ what do you think?
I’m so grateful that I got my colonoscopy–I feel confident I’ll be around for [name event]