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Actors “Lead From Behind” With Colonoscopy Screenings

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A simple bet between friends — and colonoscopy screenings — may have saved the lives of actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

The co-owners of the Wrexham Association Football Club in Wales made a friendly wager, which Reynolds ultimately lost. McElhenney bet that if he learned to speak Welsh, Reynolds would publicly broadcast his first colonoscopy to raise awareness regarding colon cancer.

The actors’ screening video launched the Lead From Behind campaign in partnership with the Colorectal Cancer Alliance (CCA). The campaign’s focus is to “help people learn that colon cancer is ‘The Preventable Cancer’” through timely screenings.

Research shows more young people are getting colon cancer. Now, leading healthcare agencies recommend screenings begin at 45 for those at average risk.
Both Reynolds (Deadpool) and McElhenney (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia) are 45.

“Part of being this age is getting a colonoscopy,” Reynolds said in the video. “It’s a simple step that could literally — I mean literally — save your life.”

Colonoscopy Saves Lives

Colorectal cancer is the second-deadliest cancer in the US. But it doesn’t have to be. This type of cancer is preventable through timely screenings.

Colonoscopy is the only screening method that can both detect and prevent colorectal cancer. The disease often begins as a growth, called a polyp, inside the colon or rectum. Through a colonoscopy, polyps can be both detected and removed before they become cancerous.

Reynolds underwent his colonoscopy first. Following the procedure, Dr. Jonathan LaPook, his gastroenterologist, praised Reynolds’ thorough bowel prep. This preparation helped LaPook find and remove an “extremely subtle polyp” on the right side of Reynolds’ colon.

“This was potentially lifesaving for you,” LaPook said. “This is exactly why you do this.”

Later, Dr. Leo Treyzon, also a gastroenterologist, told McElhenney he found three polyps during his colonoscopy.

“They were small,” Dr. Treyzon said. “They were not a big deal, but [it was] certainly a good idea that we found them and removed them.”

The doctors recommended the actors repeat the colonoscopy in a couple of years.

Young People Are at Risk

The CCA reports one in 24 people gets colon cancer. Colorectal cancer is not just a disease of the elderly. One in 260 people will get colon cancer before they turn 50. This is called early-onset or young-onset cancer.

Research indicates that people who are diagnosed when younger than 50 are more likely to have advanced disease at diagnosis.

For these reasons, screenings should begin at 45 for those at average risk of developing colorectal cancer. Individuals should be screened even if they don’t have symptoms. People with digestive symptoms should be considered for colonoscopy regardless of age.

Don’t Delay Your Screening

By 2030, colon cancer is predicted to be the top cancer killer for people younger than 50, according to the CCA.

If you are 45 or older, don’t delay your colorectal cancer screening. The five-year survival rate is about 90 percent when found at an early stage before it has spread to other organs.

The Affordable Care Act requires most private insurance to cover the costs of colorectal cancer screening tests. Plans vary, so it’s important to contact your healthcare provider to verify your coverage.

If you do not have insurance, there are resources to learn about a low-cost or free colonoscopy. Some resources include the CCA Helpline, ColonoscopyAssist™ or your state’s health and human services or department of health.

A colon cancer screening may save your life or the life of a loved one. Our doctors perform colonoscopy screenings at surgery centers around the country. Search for a gastroenterologist in your area and schedule a colonoscopy.

Disparities Impact Hispanic CRC Survival Rates

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As the United States celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15-Oct. 15), it is important to recognize the health and well-being of our Hispanic population.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second-deadliest cancer among Hispanic males and the third-deadliest cancer among Hispanic females. These statistics are according to the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Facts & Figures for Hispanic/Latino People 2021-2023.

It is estimated that colon cancer causes 2,700 cancer deaths among Hispanic males. Colon cancer causes about 2,000 cancer deaths among Hispanic females, according to ACS data.

Research Targets Early-onset CRC

CRC is not just a disease of the elderly. Early-onset or young-onset cancer means a patient is diagnosed before they turn 50. People diagnosed younger than 50 are more likely to have advanced disease at diagnosis.

A recent study found that racial and ethnic disparities exist in early-onset CRC survival rates.

According to the analysis, the five-year survival rate for Hispanics, Blacks or Asians with early-onset CRC did not improve between 1992 and 2013. The only survival rate improvement noted was in white patients.

Researchers identified more than 33,700 individuals newly diagnosed with early-onset CRC between Jan. 1, 1992, and Dec. 31, 2013. Of these, 58.5 percent were white, 14.5 percent were Hispanic, 14 percent were Black and 13 percent were Asian. Statistics came from the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) program of cancer registries.

“Our study’s identification of disparities among younger Hispanic and Asian adults adds to existing literature,” Timothy A. Zaki, MD, the study’s lead author, told MedicalXpress. “However, we lack information, such as what treatment these individuals received, that could help explain the disparities, so we are still left with the question of why they exist.”

Data also revealed “Blacks had not caught up to whites in surviving early-onset CRC” over a 20-year span.

“Survival for Blacks diagnosed from 2003 to 2013 remained even lower than for whites diagnosed a decade earlier,” said Dr. Zaki.

Scientists believe there are reasons for racial and ethnic healthcare disparities. These reasons may include “employment, insurance status, income and education level, behaviors (e.g., tobacco, alcohol, diet), environment (e.g., rural or urban), social support and cultural factors.”

“With recommendations now that CRC screening start at age 45 versus 50, one concern is whether health disparities will worsen as a result,” Dr. Zaki told MedicalXpress. “If more are screened who have the means and inclination to do so — but we fail to make progress in other populations — we could see these gaps widening.”

Don’t Delay Colon Cancer Screening

Healthcare agencies recommend CRC screenings begin at age 45 for those at average risk for the disease. Individuals should be screened even if they don’t have symptoms. The five-year survival rate for CRC is about 90 percent when it is found at an early stage before it has spread.

In 2018, colon cancer screening prevalence was 9 percent lower among Hispanics than non-Hispanic white adults 45 years of age and older, according to the ACS.

Colonoscopy is the preferred method for screening because colon cancer can be both detected and removed during the same procedure. Other screenings can detect the presence of cancer cells or hidden blood in the stool, but a positive test result means a patient will need a follow-up colonoscopy.

Health insurance plans within the Affordable Care Act provide no-cost coverage for preventive and follow-up colonoscopy screenings. Contact your provider to determine your coverage.

If you do not have insurance, there are resources to learn about a low-cost or free colonoscopy. Some resources include the Colorectal Cancer Alliance Helpline, ColonoscopyAssist or your state’s health and human services or department of health.

Patients who are at high risk for colon cancer may need to be screened before age 45. In addition, patients with digestive symptoms should seek medical attention regardless of age. Colonoscopy should always be the screening test of choice for those who have any of the following:

  • Previous CRC diagnosis
  • History of adenomas
  • Inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
  • Family history of colon cancer or certain types of polyps
  • Inherited colon cancer syndrome (e.g., Lynch Syndrome)

It is important to discuss CRC risks and symptoms with your family and doctor. It is also important to get screened. Both may save your life or the life of a loved one. If you have a family history of colon cancer, or you are experiencing digestive symptoms, call a GI specialist today. Search for a gastroenterologist in your area.

Clinical Trial Offers Hope for Rectal Cancer Patients

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Breakthrough results in a recent phase II clinical trial offer patients with rectal cancer hope for a cure.

The small study was conducted at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City.

A dozen patients were given the checkpoint inhibitor dostarlimab (Jemperli) intravenously every three weeks for six months.

The clinical trial investigated “if immunotherapy alone could beat rectal cancer that had not spread to other tissues.”

Researchers report 100 percent of the patients experienced remission of rectal cancer.

“In every case, the rectal cancer disappeared after immunotherapy … and the cancer has not returned in any of the patients, who have been cancer-free for up to two years,” according to the center’s online post.

None of the patients underwent standard treatment options — radiation, surgery or chemotherapy.

Their tumors were closely tracked, “using imaging, visualization such as endoscopy, as well other methods,” said researcher Luis Alberto Diaz, MD.

The study participants had unique criteria. All patients in the trial were required to have stage two or stage three rectal tumors that contained a specific genetic mutation. This mutation is known as mismatch repair-deficient (MMRd) or microsatellite instability (MSI).

These criteria made their cancer particularly sensitive to immunotherapy, according to the center.

About 45,000 Americans are diagnosed each year with rectal cancer. Between 5 and 10 percent of all rectal cancer patients are thought to have MMRd tumors, according to the center.

Results of the trial were published in the New England Journal of Medicine in June.

Cancer Immunotherapy Effective in Study

“Our first duty is to save our patient’s life,” said researcher Andrea Cerek, MD, in the center’s report.

A second goal was to preserve patients’ quality of life. Rectal cancer patients who undergo surgery, radiation and chemotherapy can have severe side effects. They can suffer bowel and bladder dysfunction, incontinence, infertility and sexual dysfunction.

As an alternative cancer treatment, “immunotherapy harnesses the body’s own immune system as an ally against cancer,” according to the center.

Follow-up will be needed to determine if these results are long lasting.

“This approach, if the results are confirmed, holds out the hope of cure without the need for potentially toxic therapy and the need to tolerate long-term negative treatment consequences in order to achieve a cure,” said Dr. Diaz at the 2022 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting.

The cancer center plans to continue the research study — ultimately enrolling 30 patients.

Hanna K. Sanoff, MD, MPH, at the University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, commented on the results: “These initial findings of the remarkable benefit with the use of dostarlimab are very encouraging but also need to be viewed with caution until the results can be replicated in a larger and more diverse population” (Medical Xpress).

Don’t Delay Colorectal Cancer Screening

In the United States, colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second-leading cause of cancer death.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates more than 150,000 individuals will be diagnosed with colon and rectal cancer in 2022. More than 52,000 will die from the disease this year, according to the ACS.

CRC is one of the most preventable cancers through timely screenings. The disease often begins as a growth, called a polyp, inside the colon or rectum, according to the National Cancer Institute.

Many screening methods are available for CRC, but a colonoscopy is the gold standard. It is the only screening that can both detect and even prevent CRC. During a colonoscopy, a doctor can find and remove polyps in the colon (large intestine) or rectum before they become cancerous.

Leading health agencies now recommend screenings starting at age 45, not 50, for all individuals at average risk. People at high risk or a family history of CRC should be screened earlier.

Most health insurance plans cover colonoscopy as a preventive screening. Many plans now also cover colonoscopy as a follow-up screening to evaluate a positive stool-based test. Patients should check with their insurance company about this coverage.

If you have a positive stool-based test result, a follow-up colonoscopy is critical for your health.

The five-year survival rate is about 90 percent when CRC is found at an early stage before it has spread. Our doctors perform colonoscopy screenings at outpatient surgery centers around the country. Use our Locator Tool to find a GI specialist in your area.

Some People Living With Obesity Avoid Cancer Screenings

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Quality cancer screenings save the lives of millions of patients every year. Colonoscopy is the gold standard of colon cancer screening tests. It is the only procedure that can both detect and prevent colon cancer.

Because they fear their doctors’ judgment, some people who are overweight or obese skip life-saving cancer screening tests. They may avoid care or switch healthcare providers because of “stigmatizing experiences and poor communication with doctors.

British researchers published the report online in Obesity Science and Practice.

Delaying or avoiding cancer screenings like colonoscopy may be detrimental to a person’s health.

“The fear of being stigmatized may prevent people living with obesity from accessing cancer screening services, which are vital to early diagnosis and favorable outcomes,” said lead researcher Yitka Graham in MedicalXpress.

Excess Weight Increases Colon Cancer Risk

Excess weight increases the risk of developing 12 types of cancer, including colon cancer. So, timely screenings are crucial for early diagnosis and prevention.

“Getting recommended cancer screenings is critically important for people with obesity, who may be at a higher risk for some cancers,” Kristen Sullivan told Medical Xpress. Sullivan is the director of nutrition and physical activity at the American Cancer Society (ACS).

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 650 million adults worldwide are obese. If you weigh more than what is considered healthy for a given height, you are considered overweight or obese. Body Mass Index is a person’s weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters. A high BMI can indicate being overweight (BMI 25-<30) or obese (BMI >30).

In the report, women with higher BMIs were less likely to be screened for cervical cancer. Men who were overweight or obese were less likely to be screened for colon cancer, according to the report.

Reasons given for not getting screened included “embarrassment, negative body image and trouble with imaging equipment.

Graham said doctors need to encourage people to access cancer screening services without fear of stigma or judgment. Graham is head of the Helen McArdle Nursing and Care Research Institute at the University of Sunderland in the United Kingdom.

“This has implications for early clinical interventions needed to diagnose, assess and treat common cancers, with the consequence of potential adverse outcomes and increased cancer mortality for those living with obesity,” Graham told MedicalXpress.

Don’t Delay Colon Cancer Screening

Individuals who are overweight or living with obesity risk their health when they avoid recommended colon cancer screenings.

The number of colorectal cancer cases has been increasing in adults ages 40-54 since the 1990s. Recently, healthcare agencies recommended that screenings begin at age 45 for people at average risk for the disease. Anyone with a family history of colon cancer or polyps should be screened earlier. People with digestive symptoms should consult their physician regardless of age.

In 2020, about 12 percent of all cases of colorectal cancer occurred in individuals younger than 50, according to the ACS. Patients diagnosed before age 50 were more likely to have advanced disease at diagnosis.

By 2030, it is estimated that 10.9 percent of all colon cancers and 22.9 percent of all rectal cancers will affect patients younger than 50.

Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in the United States. With screenings starting at 45, the ACS reports that 60 percent of colon cancer fatalities could be prevented.

No matter your weight, if you are 45 or older, don’t delay colon cancer screening. Be proactive and take the first step by finding a doctor at one of our centers.

Being Taller May Increase the Risk of Colon Cancer

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Did you know that factors like height could influence your colon cancer risk? According to a meta-analysis by Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, taller people are more likely than shorter people to develop colon cancer or colon polyps.

This is not the first study investigating a possible association between taller height and colon cancer. However, previous studies produced inconsistent results and did not include the risk of precancerous polyps called adenomas.

Body Organ Size May Influence Colon Cancer Risk

What is it about height that can make an individual more susceptible to colon cancer? It seems that taller stature means body organs tend to be larger.

“More active proliferation in organs of taller people could increase the possibility of mutations leading to malignant transformation,” said Elinor Zhou, MD, co-first author of the study.

How Much Difference Does Height Make in Colon Cancer Risk?

The Johns Hopkins study found that individuals in the highest percentile of height had a 24 percent higher risk of developing colon cancer than individuals in the lowest percentile for height.Individuals increased their risk for colon cancer by 14 percent for every four-inch increase in height.

To put these statistics in more understandable terms, the average American male is five feet, nine inches tall, and the average American female is five feet, four inches tall (CDC). Men who are six feet, one inch tall and women who are five feet, eight inches tall are 14 percent more likely to develop colon cancer and 6 percent more likely to develop adenomas.

What Are Common Risk Factors for Colon Cancer?

Height is only one of many variables in whether an individual will develop colon cancer. There are two categories of risk factors for colon cancer: modifiable and non-modifiable. Non-modifiable risk factors are risk factors that you cannot change, such as the following:

 

  • Age
  • Family history of colon polyps or colon cancer
  • Personal history of inflammatory bowel disease

 

Modifiable risk factors are risk factors that you can control through lifestyle choices. These include the following:

 

  • Unhealthy eating habits
  • High consumption of red meat and processed meat
  • Sedentary lifestyle
  • Smoking and alcohol usage

 

Gastroenterologists look at non-modifiable risk factors when recommending colon cancer screenings. However, it is important to consider lifestyle choices when assessing colon cancer risk.

Begin Colonoscopy Screenings at Age 45

Colon cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in the United States, and family history causes only about 20 percent of diagnoses. Your lifetime risk for colon cancer is about 5 percent (or one in 20). The good news is that most cases of colon cancer are preventable with routine colonoscopies beginning at age 45. It is also important to report any digestive symptoms that may signal colon cancer to your doctor, regardless of age.

A colonoscopy allows your doctor to inspect the entire colon and remove precancerous polyps before they develop into cancer. It’s the only colon cancer screening that can prevent colon cancer, and that’s why it’s known as the gold standard.

Find a Gastroenterologist in Your Area

Have you been putting off scheduling a colonoscopy? Life is busy, but nothing is more important than good health. Simply enter your zip code here to locate a center near you. Then, call today to make an appointment for a colon cancer screening.

IBD Patients Could Benefit From More Frequent Colonoscopy Screenings

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Everyone is at risk for colon cancer, but certain risk factors and conditions can increase the likelihood of developing the disease. One condition that can increase the risk of colon cancer is inflammatory bowel disease.

What Is Inflammatory Bowel Disease?

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a general term that describes chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. There are two types of IBD:

  • Ulcerative colitis — a chronic condition that causes inflammation of the colon
  • Crohn’s disease — a chronic condition that affects the digestive tract lining. Patients with Crohn’s disease may have healthy parts of the intestine as well as inflamed regions in both the small and large bowel.

Patients with IBD experience an increased risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) than those who do not have IBD. For example, patients with IBD have a seven percent increase in colorectal cancer risk after 30 years of disease (Crohns and Colitis Foundation).

How Often Should IBD Patients Have a Colonoscopy?

A new study published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology evaluated how varying colonoscopy intervals affected colon cancer outcomes in patients with IBD. The study examined how different colonoscopy intervals affected outcomes such as:

  • Stage at the time of detection
  • Colon cancer treatment
  • Reducing mortality

The study results found patients with IBD who had a colonoscopy every one to three years were less likely to be diagnosed with advanced colon cancer.

“Colonoscopy within three years prior to colon cancer diagnosis compared with no colonoscopy was less likely to be diagnosed with late tumor stage,” said Hun-seok Kim, MD, MPH, of Baylor College of Medicine. “Colonoscopy within one year was associated with lower all-cause mortality than no colonoscopy. Our findings support the use of surveillance colonoscopy to improve CRC outcomes in IBD patients” (Healio).

Colonoscopy Protects Against Colon Cancer

Although there are many screenings for colon cancer, colonoscopy is the gold standard. It is the only test that allows a doctor to detect and remove pre-cancerous polyps in the same procedure. Because IBD increases colon cancer risk, patients with IBD need to schedule a colonoscopy at recommended intervals.

Experts estimate that 60 to 90 percent of colon cancer deaths could be prevented if everyone 45 years of age and older had a routine colonoscopy.

Schedule a Colonoscopy at Age 45

Did you know that the recommended age for colon cancer screening was recently lowered from age 50 to 45? Many people believe that colonoscopy is expensive, painful or time-consuming, but these assumptions are myths. Thanks to new technology and state-of-the-art equipment, your screening can be affordable and pain free, and you only need to miss one day of work.

Find a Gastroenterologist in Your Area

Don’t delay in scheduling your colonoscopy. We can help you find a fellowship-trained gastroenterologist in your local area. Simply enter your zip code here to locate a GI doctor near you.  Colonoscopies are life-saving procedures, so call today and make an appointment for a screening.

New Guidance Benefits Patients

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In the United States, colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer death and one of the most preventable through timely screenings.

Many screening methods are available for CRC, but a colonoscopy is the gold standard because it is the only one that can both detect and even prevent colon cancer.

After consulting with their physicians, however, some people at average risk choose a stool-based test to screen for colon cancer. Stool-based tests include the fecal immunochemical test (FIT) and stool-DNA test (Cologuard).

It is important to note that if you have a positive stool-based test result, a follow-up colonoscopy is critical for your health. You are twice as likely to develop advanced colon cancer if you skip your follow-up colonoscopy. During this procedure, the doctor will examine your entire colon and remove precancerous polyps.

In the past, many patients were required to pay out of pocket for this follow-up procedure. However, new federal guidance will soon require health insurance to fully cover the cost of a follow-up colonoscopy to evaluate a positive stool-based test.

“This guidance will help ensure that patients can choose the test that is best for them without worrying about out-of-pocket costs,” Anjee Davis, MPPA, president of Fight Colorectal Cancer told MedicalXpress. “Ultimately, this will save lives and support early detection of colorectal cancer.”

This new coverage is for plan or policy years beginning on or after May 31, 2022. Patients should check with their policyholder about this coverage.

“Ensuring individuals have access to this lifesaving screening will significantly reduce suffering and death from this disease,” Lisa Lacasse, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), told MedicalXpress.

45 Is the New 50 for Colon Cancer Screening

In 2020, the American Cancer Society (ACS) reported that about 12 percent of all cases of CRC occurred in individuals younger than 50. Patients diagnosed prior to age 50 were more likely to have advanced disease at diagnosis.

Because of this increase in young-onset colon cancer, leading health organizations now recommend screenings starting at age 45, not 50, for all average-risk individuals.

About 60 percent of all colon cancer fatalities in the United States could be prevented if every man and woman 45 or older chose to be screened for colon cancer, according to the ACS.

Prioritize Your Colon Cancer Screening

If you are 45 or older, don’t delay your colorectal cancer diagnosis. When CRC is found at an early stage before it has spread, the five-year survival rate is about 90 percent.

Most health insurance plans under the Affordable Care Act now cover colonoscopy as a preventive screening test for CRC in patients 45 and older.

“This year alone, the American Cancer Society estimates more than 150,000 individuals will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer and more than 52,000 will die from the disease. But colorectal cancer is preventable when precancerous polyps are found and removed through a colonoscopy,” Lacasse told MedicalXpress.

Our gastroenterologists perform colonoscopy screenings at ambulatory surgery centers around the country. Click here to enter your zip code and locate a GI specialist near you.

Incidence of CRC Increasing in Younger Patients

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A rise in early-onset colorectal cancer (CRC) in patients younger than 50 prompted leading health organizations to recommend CRC screening starting at age 45 for all average-risk individuals.

A study published Jan. 7 in “Gastroenterology” supports the lowered CRC screening age. The study was conducted by AMSURG and researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

“We have known for many years that rates of colorectal cancer are rising in individuals younger than 50, prompting several medical organizations to recommend lowering the screening age from 50 to 45. What has been missing until now is confirmatory data of the prevalence of precancerous polyps in younger individuals,” said lead author Steven H. Itzkowitz, MD, FACP, FACG, AGAF, Professor of Medicine (Gastroenterology), Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, in Medical Xpress. “Our study provides an important piece of the puzzle and supports the recommendation changing the screening age to 45.”

Study Finds ‘45 is the New 50’

According to statistics, the number of colorectal cases has been increasing since the mid-1990s in adults ages 40-54. These cases are often misdiagnosed or diagnosed later in the course of the disease — a younger individual’s CRC risk factors and symptoms can be easily overlooked.

In this first large-scale study to look at precancerous polyps in this age group, researchers analyzed data collected between Jan. 1, 2014, and Feb. 5, 2021. The study focused on approximately 131,000 patients aged 40-49 from 123 AMSURG (a division of Envision Healthcare) ambulatory endoscopy centers across 29 states that report their results to the GI Quality Improvement Consortium (GIQuIC) Registry.

Several factors were associated with higher odds of finding advanced premalignant lesions (APLs) and colorectal cancer, including age, family history of CRC, sex (male), race (white) and examinations performed for evaluation of rectal bleeding or screening.

In this study, entitled “Prevalence and Predictors of Young-Onset Colorectal Neoplasia: Insights from a Nationally Representative Colonoscopy Registry,” results were reported among patients aged 45-49. Some of the study’s findings regarding this age group are listed below:

  • 32 percent had neoplasia (precancerous or cancerous lesions considered precursors of colorectal cancer)
  • Nearly 8 percent had APLs
  • 0.58 percent had CRC
  • Prevalence of neoplasia and APLs were almost as high as those of 50-54 year olds, and the rates of CRC were even higher.

Additionally, among 40-44 year olds, rates of APLs were almost as high as for those aged 45-49, and colorectal cancer rates were comparably high, according to the study.

Dr. Itzkowitz told Healio that the data confirmed that “45 is now the new 50” for CRC.

“Colon cancer used to be considered a disease of old age and that is no longer true,” Dr. Itzkowitz told Healio. “Our data also suggest that clinically important lesions occur about five years earlier in individuals with a family history of colorectal cancer compared to those without a family history. That is why it is very important to take a good family history.”

Study co-author, Jay Popp, MD, Medical Director for AMSURG, told Medical Xpress that “the team’s findings reiterate the importance of colorectal cancer awareness — both among patients and clinicians.”

“Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States, but it is one of the most preventable cancers,” Dr. Popp said. “The more patients know about their bodies and risk for colorectal cancer and the more clinicians can do to help patients receive routine and timely screenings, the more lives we can save. Everyone can play a role in helping a loved one or neighbor prevent colorectal cancer.”

New Law Changes Follow-up Screening Cost

March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month. According to the ACS, about 60 percent of all colon cancer fatalities in the United States could be prevented if every man and woman 45 years or older would choose to be screened for colon cancer.

If you have a positive stool-based test, a follow-up colonoscopy is critical. In fact, if you delay a colonoscopy for nine months or more after a positive stool-based test, you are much more likely to have an advanced cancer.

In the past, most patients were required to pay the deductible for a follow-up colonoscopy to evaluate a positive stool-based test. Stool-based tests include the fecal immunochemical test (FIT) and stool-DNA test (Cologuard). A new law changes the requirement for patients to share in the cost. Health insurance plans within the Affordable Care Act will be required to provide no-cost coverage of this follow-up procedure. This coverage is for plan or policy years beginning on or after May 31, 2022.

To avoid confusion, contact your healthcare provider first and then schedule an appointment.

Colonoscopy Is Gold Standard for CRC Screening

If you are 45 or older, get screened for colorectal cancer.

In 2020, about 12 percent of all cases of CRC occurred in individuals under 50, according to the American Cancer Society. Patients diagnosed prior to age 50 were more likely to have advanced disease at diagnosis.

When colorectal cancer is found at an early stage before it has spread, the five-year survival rate is about 90 percent.

Many screening methods are available, but colonoscopy is the gold standard procedure because it allows your doctor to see the entire length of the colon to examine for polyps, lesions and abnormalities. A quality colonoscopy is the only screening that can both detect and prevent colon cancer.

Call Your Gastroenterologist to Schedule a Colonoscopy

Our fellowship-trained gastroenterologists perform colonoscopy screenings at ambulatory surgery centers around the country. Click here to enter your zip code and locate a GI specialist near you.

Colon Cancer Mortality Doubles if You Skip Your Colonoscopy

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For decades, colonoscopy has been the gold standard for colon cancer prevention. There are many screening methods, but they are not equally effective in detecting and preventing colon cancer. Although it is more invasive, colonoscopy includes a complete examination of the colon, and your doctor can remove precancerous polyps before they can develop into cancer.

Other types of tests like fecal immunochemical tests or fecal occult blood tests are less invasive and require no preparation, but they only detect blood in the stool. They cannot diagnose polyps or tumors, and they cannot prevent colon cancer development.

New Study Confirms Colonoscopy Lowers Colon Cancer Mortality

A new study published in Gut BMJ confirms the importance of choosing a colonoscopy. You are twice as likely to develop deadly colon cancer if you have a positive stool test and decide to skip your follow-up colonoscopy.

Manuel Zorzi, MD, MSc, from the Veneto Tumor Registry, Azienda Zero, Padova, Italy, and colleagues conducted a study on patients aged 50 to 69 who took a fecal immunological-based colon cancer test (FIT). When comparing the incidence and mortality among patients who tested positive on their FIT, Zorzi found the ten-year cumulative mortality for colon cancer was 6.8 per 1,000 for patients who completed a diagnostic colonoscopy and 16 per 1,000 for patients who did not.

“The excess risk of [colon cancer] death among those not completing colonoscopy after a positive fecal occult blood test should prompt screening programs to adopt effective interventions to increase compliance in this high-risk population,” said Zorzi.

Choose the Best Colon Cancer Screening for Your Health

Colon cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in the United States. It is time to take the disease seriously. The American Cancer Society changed its recommendation for baseline colon cancer screenings from 50 to 45 for all adults at average risk for colon cancer, so you may be due for a screening.

Minimally-invasive tests like FIT can help detect blood in the stool. However, you must schedule a diagnostic colonoscopy if the test is positive for blood. Not following through with a colonoscopy puts you at risk for colon cancer.

Colonoscopy is the best screening test available. It does require bowel preparation (a solution you drink to cleanse the colon prior to the procedure), but the low-volume colon prep is much more palatable than it used to be. Depending on your test results, you may only have to repeat a colonoscopy every 10 years.

Colon Cancer Prevention Begins With an Expert GI Doctor

Are you ready to schedule a colonoscopy or colon cancer screening? We can help. Our fellowship-trained gastroenterologists are accepting new patients. Click here to find a gastroenterologist in your area.

Hispanics Are Less Likely to Get Screened for Colon Cancer

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Colon cancer screening rates are significantly lower among Hispanic Americans than non-Hispanic whites among adults over 50, putting Hispanics at increased risk for advanced-stage colon cancer.

What Is Colon Cancer?

Colon cancer is a growth that begins in the colon, also known as the large intestine. Most colon cancers start as a polyp, a tiny growth that forms in the colon’s inner lining.

Hispanics and Colon Cancer Statistics

According to the National Colon Cancer Roundtable, one in two Hispanic adults between 50 and 75 years of age are not getting tested as recommended. Because of lower screening rates, colon cancer causes about 11 percent of cancer deaths among Hispanic males and nine percent of Hispanic females.

Common Myths about Colon Cancer and Colonoscopies

There are many myths surrounding colon cancer and colon cancer screening. Often, these myths prevent people from getting screened. Here are some common misconceptions and concerns about colon cancer and colon cancer screening, along with facts about the disease and this life-saving procedure:

Myth Truth
“I don’t need to go to the doctor because I feel fine
and don’t have symptoms of colon cancer.”		 Colon cancer usually does not cause symptoms in the early stages.
“Colonoscopies take too much time. I will miss work, and I can’t afford that.” You will only need to miss one day of work for a colonoscopy. There are also other options for colon cancer screening that do not require you to miss any work.
“A colonoscopy is too expensive.” Insurance covers colonoscopy screenings. There are many ways to get a low-cost or free colonoscopy.
“A colonoscopy is dangerous.” The risk of injury during a colonoscopy is low. Not getting screened at all puts you at high risk for a deadly disease.
“Doctors just want money. They don’t care about my health.” GI physicians are focused on saving lives. Your doctor will want you to feel comfortable and confident about your upcoming procedure, so write down your questions and concerns about colon cancer screening and discuss them with your doctor.
“It’s embarrassing to get a colonoscopy.” GI physicians and their teams are accustomed to performing colonoscopies all the time, so there’s no need to be embarrassed! A colonoscopy is the best way to prevent colon cancer, and if you get a clean bill of health, you may only have to repeat the test every 10 years.
“I don’t understand the procedure. I don’t feel like I’m in control.” Ask your provider for information, like pamphlets or websites, to help you understand more about the procedure.

Importance of Quality Colon Cancer Screening

The best way to prevent colon cancer is to get screened. The American Cancer Society suggests that all adults at average risk for colon cancer begin screening at age 45. There are two basic screening methods:

  1. Colonoscopy—A colonoscopy is the most effective screening test to prevent and detect colon cancer. This screening uses a narrow, lighted tube with a camera to view your colon and rectum. You will be asleep during the procedure. Your doctor can remove colon polyps during the exam, and this can help prevent you from getting colon cancer. If your test result is normal, you will likely not need another colonoscopy for ten years.
  2. Stool test—You can perform a stool test, such as the fecal immunochemical test (FIT), at home. A stool test may detect small amounts of blood that you cannot see. Blood in the stool can sometimes indicate colon cancer. You can receive a kit that allows you to collect a small amount of stool and send it to a lab to test it for hidden blood. If your test is positive, you will have to get a colonoscopy. Depending on the results, you may have to repeat the stool test every year.

Colon cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer-related death among Hispanic men and women in the US. It doesn’t have to be! Regular screening starting at age 45 can often help prevent cancer or find it early when it’s small and easier to treat.

Are you due for a colon cancer screening but don’t know where to begin? Click here to locate a fellowship-trained gastroenterologist in your area. Our doctors and nurses are kind and compassionate, and they will patiently answer your questions about colon cancer screening.

Your family loves you and wants you to live a long, healthy life. Good health begins with a colon cancer screening. Call today to make an appointment.