This story is produced and presented by our sponsor, UHS
Among U.S. men and women, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death. Nearly 135,000 adults are diagnosed each year.
That’s why the American Cancer Society started a new initiative called “80 by 18,” which aims to have 80 percent of adults age 50 and older screened for colorectal cancer by 2018. The gold standard for screening is colonoscopy, which can detect the cancer at an early stage and can also prevent it entirely by removing precancerous polyps.
As of right now, about one in three adults between the ages of 50 and 75 — roughly 23 million Americans — are not getting tested. In the state of New York, 69.3 percent have been screened, leaving more than 1.3 million individuals to go to reach the goal. Doctors urge patients to go in for their screenings, and remind them that while colonoscopies may sound uncomfortable, they really aren’t as bad as they may seem.
“UHS diagnoses more cancer cases than any organization in our region, so we feel a tremendous obligation to work with our community to reach this ambitious goal,” says Christina Boyd, Vice President for Community Relations at UHS. “It is proven to save lives.”
According to the National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable, if the 80 percent goal is reached by 2018, more than 200,000 colorectal cancer deaths would be prevented by 2030.
With more people following screening recommendations in the U.S., rates of colorectal cancer (cancer of the colon or rectum) have dropped by 30 percent since 2001 in those age 50 and older.
In fact, this cancer has recently moved from its spot as the second-most-diagnosed cancer to No. 3, according to the American Cancer Society (ACS).
Additionally, the death rate for those who are diagnosed with colon cancer has dropped steadily over the past 20 years, thanks to the trend toward earlier diagnosis.
Not only is colorectal cancer usually curable when caught early, in many people screening can prevent it altogether.
When gastroenterologists began to use colorectal screening (called colonoscopy), they would see colorectal cancer cases regularly. Now, there are fewer cancer cases because it is actively being prevented it. The goal of screening colonoscopy is to find patients at the precancerous stage.
Many people have growths, called polyps, in their colons. While these often are not cancerous, certain types of polyps can become cancerous over time.
Finding and removing them during a screening colonoscopy not only allows the doctor to test for early signs of cancer; it removes potential sources of cancer.
For this reason, you should not wait to be screened.
Doctors recommend screening
For people at average risk, screening should begin at age 50. Screenings are generally repeated every 10 years unless results from the colonoscopy suggest a higher risk for cancer.
Family history and other health considerations may increase your personal risk of colorectal cancer and require a unique screening schedule. For example, if a close blood relative had colorectal cancer, screening should begin 10 years before the age at which your relative was diagnosed, and repeated more frequently. It’s important to discuss personal risk factors with your doctor.
A discussion with your doctor helps determine the right age for screening to begin. Screening may also be recommended if you experience symptoms of colorectal cancer at any age, including rectal bleeding, a change in bowel habits, or abdominal pain or weight loss of unclear cause.
For information on colonoscopies at:
UHS Hospitals, call Binghamton Gastroenterology at 772-0639.
UHS Chenango Memorial Hospital, call 337-4800.
UHS Delaware Valley Hospital, call 865-2150.
Learn more at uhs.net/care-treatment/gastroenterology.
This story is provided and presented by our sponsor, UHS. For more information go to www.uhs.net.
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