(Portland, OR) – March 19, 2018 — Colorectal cancer is the nation’s second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S. when men and women are combined, and the American Cancer Society’s goal is to increase screening for the disease to save lives. Colorectal cancer is one of only a few cancers that can be prevented. Through colorectal cancer screening, doctors can find and remove polyps, or hidden growths in the colon, before they become cancerous. Removing polyps can prevent cancer.
Increased screening over the next few years will dramatically decrease the mortality of colorectal cancer. Nationally, if screening increased to 80%, approximately 277,000 cases and 203,000 colorectal cancer deaths would be prevented by 2030. Currently, Oregon is ranked 15th nationwide for colorectal cancer screenings, but Governor Kate Brown knows we can do better.
The Governor has joined several local health care organizations in supporting the 80% by 2018 initiative by signing a proclamation which proclaims March to be Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and encourages all Oregonians to join in the observance. Legacy Health, PacificSource, Providence, and Samaritan have partnered with the American Cancer Society on the 80 % by 2018 initiative, pledging to get 80% of their patient populations screened for colorectal cancer by the end of 2018.
While colorectal cancer incidence rates have dropped in the U.S. among adults 50 and older, it is still the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States, despite being highly preventable, detectable and treatable. In fact, it is estimated that in 2018, more than 140,000 cases of colorectal cancer will be diagnosed.
“Colon cancer is a major public health problem, and adults age 50 and older should be regularly screened for it, but we have found that many people aren’t getting screened because they don’t believe they are at risk, don’t understand that there are test options or don’t think they can afford it,” said Dr. Richard Wender, Chief Cancer Control Officer, American Cancer Society, and Chair, National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable. “The truth is that simply aging puts you at greater risk for colon cancer.
Colorectal cancer in its early stages usually has no symptoms, so everyone 50 and older should get screened. There are several screening options – even take-home options – available. Plus, many public and private insurance plans cover colorectal cancer screening and there may be local resources available to help those that are uninsured.”
“The American Cancer Society is working with partner organizations to increase the number of adults age 50 through 75 who are screened for colorectal cancer,” said Durado Brooks, MD, VP Cancer Control Intervention for American Cancer Society, Inc. “Together, we can help make colorectal cancer a major public health success story through its drop in incidence and death.”
For more information about colorectal cancer screening, visit www.cancer.org/colon or contact the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227- 2345. For more information about the 80% by 2018 initiative, visit www.nccrt.org.
