Half Of Colon Cancers Caught Too Late, CDC Reports

Despite the availability of preventive screenings for colon cancer and the evidence supporting their effectiveness when used early, almost half of colon cancer cases are caught at late stages, when it is most difficult to treat, the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention recently reported. The same holds true for cervical cancer cases, while one-third of breast cancer cases are also diagnosed at late stages.

Colon cancer is up to 90 percent treatable if caught early through preventive screenings. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) and the American Cancer Society (ACS) both have recommendations for colon cancer screenings, but not all eligible adults are following those suggestions. In fact, only 62 percent of qualified adults were actually screened for colon cancer in the past three years.

The USPSTF recommends those between the ages of 50-75 get screened for colon cancer through the following three regimens: annual fecal occult blood testing; a sigmoidoscopy every five years plus fecal occult blood testing every three years; or a colonoscopy every ten years. The American Cancer Society also suggests screening for those over age 50, including a colonoscopy once every 10 years or a sigmoidoscopy every five years. In addition, they include a double-contrast barium enema or a virtual colonoscopy every five years as options. If test results are suggestive of colon polyps/cancer, the ACS advises having a colonoscopy, which doctors consider to be the gold standard of screening methods because of its ability to find and remove precancerous growths in the same sitting. To find a screening center near you, click here.

To read the CDC’s full report, click here.