CDC Media Relations: MMWR News Synopsis for February 19, 1999

Press Summaries

February 19, 1999

MMWR articles are embargoed until 4 p.m. Eastern time on Thursday.

MMWR Synopsis	Farm Worker Illness Following Exposure to Carbofuran and Other Pesticides -- Fresno County, California, 1998 Screening for Colorectal Cancer -- United States, 1997 Progress Toward Poliomyelitis Eradication -- Pakistan, 1994-1998
Fact Sheet:	Colorectal Cancer Screening and Early Detection

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Synopsis February 19, 1999

Farm Worker Illness Following Exposure to Carbofuran and Other Pesticides -- Fresno County, California, 1998
Pesticide illnesses can be prevented by properly warning workers and by substituting less toxic alternatives.

PRESS CONTACT:
Rupali Das, M.D., M.P.H.
California Department of Health Services
(510) 622-4300

The California Department of Health Services investigated an incident in which a crew of 34 farm workers became ill after entering a field that had been sprayed with a pesticide solution containing carbofuran. The workers had not been warned that the fields had been treated and that re-entry to a carbofuran-treated field should not be allowed until at least 48 hours after application. The incident shows that posted and oral warnings on re-entry restrictions are a critical health protection measure and that failure to adhere to these restrictions can result in illness among exposed workers. Because restricted re-entry intervals may be inadequately protective, substitution of safer alternatives to toxic chemicals should be considered and adopted where feasible.

Screening for Colorectal Cancer -- United States, 1997
Deaths from colorectal cancer, the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths, could be prevented through regular screening.

PRESS CONTACT:
Laura Seeff, M.D.
CDC, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention & Health Promotion
(770) 488-4227

Although many deaths from colorectal cancer could be prevented with regular screening and appropriate treatment, current U.S. screening rates are low, according to the CDC's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Both men and women 50 and older are at risk for colorectal cancer and should be screened at recommended intervals. In 1997, only 41% of adults 50 and older reported having had one of the two commonly recommended screening tests (fecal-occult blood test or flexible sigmoidoscopy) within the recommended time frame. Those with higher incomes, more education and health insurance were more likely to have received screening tests. CDC, the Health Care Financing Administration, and the National Cancer Institute encourage men and women 50 and older to talk to their doctors about their screening test options, a message that is being reinforced by a national media campaign.

Progress Toward Poliomyelitis Eradication -- Pakistan, 1994-1998
Pakistan has made substantial progress toward polio eradication since 1994 and needs to further intensify efforts to achieve polio eradication by the year 2000.

PRESS CONTACT:
Roland Sutter, M.D., M.P.H. & T.M.
CDC, National Immunization Program
(404) 639-8762

In 1988, the World Health Assembly adopted the goal of global eradication of polio to be achieved by the year 2000. Substantial progress toward this goal has been reported from virtually every polio-endemic country in the world. Recent laboratory and surveillance data suggest that after 4 years of eradication efforts in Pakistan, previous widespread poliovirus transmission has been reduced greatly, with sustained transmission limited to focal geographic areas. Polio cases in Pakistan were reduced by 74% from 1997 to 1998, due to highly successful supplemental immunization campaigns (i.e. National Immunization Days) and rapidly improving surveillance. Pakistan needs to further intensify polio eradication efforts, focusing on improving routine vaccination coverage, implementing additional rounds of supplemental immunization, and further strengthening surveillance to reach the eradication target by the year 2000.

Colorectal Cancer Screening and Early Detection

February 18, 1999
Contact: Kathy Harbin
CDC, National Center for Chronic Disease
Prevention and Health Promotion
(770) 488-5131
CDC, Division of Media Relations
(404) 639-3286

Cancer of the colon or rectum, also called colorectal cancer, is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in both men and women in the United States.
In 1999, an estimated 129,400 people will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer and 56,600 will die of the disease.
Screening tests can reduce deaths from colorectal cancer by identifying polyps, tiny growths inside the colon, before they become cancerous. Screening also detects early cancers when treatment is most effective and survival rates are high.
The 1997 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System revealed that only 41% of men and women aged 50 and older had one of the two most commonly recommended screening tests--fecal occult blood test or flexible sigmoidoscopy-- within the recommended time frame.
Many private health plans provide coverage for these screening tests, and in 1998, Medicare coverage was expanded to include colorectal cancer screening.
The risk of colorectal cancer increases with age. The majority of cases--93 percent-- occur in men and women 50 and older.
All racial and ethnic groups are at risk for colorectal cancer. African Americans are more likely to be diagnosed when the disease is at a more advanced stage and are more likely to die of it once diagnosed.
A family history of colorectal cancer or colorectal polyps increases the risk of developing colorectal cancer.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Health Care Financing Administration and the National Cancer Institute recommend all men and women 50 and older consult their doctors about the best screening test options for them.

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