News & Media
March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month offers a perfect opportunity to talk to your doctor and ask yourself, as well as family and friends, if it is time for colorectal cancer screening.
Colorectal cancer remains the nation’s second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths for men and women. Early detection is key to discovering cancer before a person experiences any signs or symptoms. Regular screenings save lives by identifying cancers when they are most curable and treatment is most likely to be successful. In Michigan in 2018, the American Cancer Society estimates there will be 4,510 cases of colorectal cancer and 1,670 deaths due to the disease.
"Adults aged 50-75 should be regularly screened for colorectal cancer. Unfortunately many people are'’t getting tested because they don’t believe they are at risk or they aren’t aware of the different testing and screening options," said Cheryl Gibson Fountain, MD, President with the Michigan State Medical Society (MSMS). "The importance of early detection cannot be overstated. This Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, make it a priority to discuss the different testing options with your provider."
Colorectal cancer risk increases after age 50. However, if you have a family history of colorectal cancer or pre-cancerous polyps, talk with your doctor about starting testing before age 50. Many cases of colorectal cancer have no symptoms especially early on when it can be more effectively treated.
There are several screening options available including colonoscopy and simple take-home tests. Many health insurance plans cover lifesaving preventive tests; to find out the details of what colorectal cancer screening is covered, check your plan. Preventing colorectal cancer or finding it early doesn’t have to be expensive. There are simple, affordable tests available for colorectal cancer screening.
Through proper colorectal cancer screening, doctors can find and remove hidden growths (called "polyps") in the colon before they become cancerous. Removing polyps can prevent cancer altogether.
For resources for uninsured residents, and for more information about testing and prevention, visit www.michigancancer.org/colorectal.