Parsons – Colorectal cancer screening has been proven to save lives. In Tucker County, St. George Medical Clinic has made the pledge to increase colorectal cancer screening rates by supporting the 80% by 2018 initiative, led by the American Cancer Society (ACS). the Center for Disease Control (CDC), and the National Colorectal Roundtable (a coalition co-founded by the ACS and the CDC.)
Colorectal Cancer is the nation’s second leading cause of cancer related deaths in the U.S. when men and women are combined but it is one of only a few cancers that can be prevented through colorectal cancer screening. Doctors can find and remove hidden growths, called polyps, in the colon before they become cancerous and removing these polyps can prevent cancer.
Via the 80% by 2018 initiative hundreds of organizations have committed to reduce colorectal cancer as a major health problem and are working towards a shared goal of 80% of adults 50 and older being regularly screened for colorectal cancer by 2018. If the 80% by 2018 goal is achieved, 277,000 cases and 203,000 colorectal cancer deaths could be prevented by 2030.
Via the 80% by 2018 initiative hundreds of organizations have committed to reduce colorectal cancer as a major health problem and are working towards a shared goal of 80% of adults 50 and older being regularly screened for colorectal cancer by 2018. If the 80% by 2018 goal is achieved, 277,000 cases and 203,000 colorectal cancer deaths could be prevented by 2030.
In West Virginia colon cancer is a major health problem with newly diagnosed cases to number over 1,000 with 420 deaths this year. Unfortunately, because colon cancer can be a silent killer, most cases of colorectal cancer in West Virginia are diagnosed at later stages only when symptoms become evident.
Simply aging puts individuals at a greater risk for colon cancer, so almost everyone over 50 should be screened. Those who have a family history or other health conditions, as well as those with symptoms, should be screened earlier. There are several screening options available including take home options. Many private and public insurance plans cover the screening and there may be local resources available to help those who are uninsured.
Part of the 80% by 2018 goal is to leverage the energy and diversity of community organizations to create awareness, educate and increase screening rates. The initiative consists of health care providers, health systems, communities, businesses, community health centers, government, non-profit organizations and patient advocate groups among others who are committed to getting more people screened for colorectal cancer to prevent more cancers and save more lives.
For more information about colorectal cancer screening, visit www.cancer.org/colon or contact the American Cancer Society 24-hour information line at 1-800-227-2345. For more information about the 80% by 2018 initiative visit www.nccrt.org.
