How many people are being screened for colorectal cancer?
Unfortunately, screening rates are too low. In a recent survey of Americans over 50 conducted by the Centers for Disease Control, only 41percent reported having had either an FOBT (the take-home stool card test) or a partial colon exam (by sigmoidoscopy) within the time intervals recommended by major professional groups such as ASGE. Given the preventable nature of this cancer, we can and must do better! For comparison, 86 percent of women are screened for breast cancer. The American Cancer Society has a goal for 75 percent of adults aged 50 and over to get screened by 2015. Some reasons for low colorectal cancer screening rates include: • Lack of public awareness about colorectal cancer and the benefits of regular screening • Inconsistent promotion of screening by medical care providers • Uncertainty among healthcare providers and consumers about insurance benefits • Characteristics of the screening procedures (e.g.
Unfortunately, screening rates are too low. In a recent survey of Americans over 50 conducted by the Centers for Disease Control, only 41percent reported having had either an FOBT (the take-home stool card test) or a partial colon exam (by sigmoidoscopy) within the time intervals recommended by major professional groups such as ASGE. Given the preventable nature of this cancer, we can and must do better! For comparison, 86 percent of women are screened for breast cancer. The American Cancer Society has a goal for 75 percent of adults aged 50 and over to get screened by 2015.
