By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
    Health
    Healthcare organizations are operating on slimmer profit margins than ever. One report in August showed that they are even lower than the beginning of the…
    Show More
    Top News
    What Are the Benefits of CBD?
    November 27, 2021
    How to Measure Adult Diapers- The Ultimate Guide to Picking the Right Size
    March 8, 2022
    medicine cabinet
    The Effect Of Finished Dosage Form Manufacturing In New Drugs
    July 5, 2022
    Latest News
    Beyond Nutrition: Everyday Foods That Support Whole-Body Health
    June 15, 2025
    The Wide-Ranging Benefits of Magnesium Supplements
    June 11, 2025
    The Best Home Remedies for Migraines
    June 5, 2025
    The Hidden Impact Of Stress On Your Body’s Alignment And Balance
    May 22, 2025
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
    Policy and Law
    Get the latest updates about Insurance policies and Laws in the Healthcare industry for different geographical locations.
    Show More
    Top News
    Medical Negligence
    The Impact of Medical Negligence: How Claims Can Help You Move Forward
    January 6, 2025
    Advancing Your Healthcare Career through Education and Specialization
    April 16, 2025
    PPACA: “It’s in there!”
    September 9, 2017
    Latest News
    Let Your Lawyer Handle the Work Before You Pay Medical Costs
    July 6, 2025
    Top HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps for Healthcare Teams
    June 25, 2025
    When Healthcare Ends, the Legal Process Begins: What Families Should Know About Probate and Medical Estates
    June 20, 2025
    Preventing Contamination In Healthcare Facilities Starts With Hygiene
    June 15, 2025
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Colon Cancer Testing Levels Off: 23 Million Americans Unscreened For Second Deadliest Cancer
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Policy & Law > Public Health > Colon Cancer Testing Levels Off: 23 Million Americans Unscreened For Second Deadliest Cancer
DiagnosticsPublic HealthWellness

Colon Cancer Testing Levels Off: 23 Million Americans Unscreened For Second Deadliest Cancer

Susan Scutti
Susan Scutti
Share
5 Min Read
colon cancer screenings
SHARE

colon cancer screenings“About 90 percent of people live five or more years when their colorectal cancer is found early through testing.” So begins a report released just yeste

colon cancer screenings“About 90 percent of people live five or more years when their colorectal cancer is found early through testing.” So begins a report released just yesterday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) but, despite such strong possibilities for hope, one out of every three adults between the ages of 50 and 75 is not getting screened as recommended. Worse news: of these 23 million Americans who are not properly caring for their own health, over three-quarters are insured and so have access to, at the very least, the most minimal of all tests, a stool test.

Since 2002, the trend line of screening for this cancer has been steadily moving in an upward direction, from 54 percent to 76 percent in 2010. But yesterday’s report shows the line has gone flat — no progress has been made since the last survey for the first time in a decade. The results from the current report are based on data from last year, as the CDC conducts a national survey of more than 200,000 Americans every two years. Who, then, is failing to get screened?

Composite Portrait: 3 Test Types

The CDC found the people who are less likely to get tested are men and those between the ages of 50 and 64. People who don’t live in cities and those with lower education and income also fail to be screened more often than other groups. In terms of ethnicity, Hispanics as well as American Indian and Alaska natives show lower rates of testing.  

Three standard tests for colorectal cancer are recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force: colonoscopy, stool tests, and flexible sigmoidoscopy. Stool tests are the easiest on the part of the patient and consist of either a guaiac fecal occult blood test (FOBT) or a fecal immunochemical test (FIT). The usual procedure is a provider mails an FOBT/FIT kit directly to a patient, who then completes the test at home and simply mails it back. From there, the kit is sent to the lab.

Despite the ease of a stool test, the go-to screening recommendation of most doctors is a colonoscopy. This invasive procedure, during which a tube is inserted to examine the intestines, requires considerable preparation on the part of the patient — cleaning the bowel (i.e., taking laxatives to promote diarrhea) and then no eating or drinking the night before as well as the day of the test. In most cases, anesthesia during the procedure is also involved so a patient is also required to arrange for someone to pick them up from the appointment. 

Not surprisingly, the CDC has found that many people would prefer the more simple FOBT/FIT if their health care provider gave them that option. Studies show that when individuals are given a choice of tests, they are more likely to actually get one done. Another concern is that among those who have never been tested, some reported their providers did not notify them that it is recommended they be tested every five years beginning at the age of 50. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in both men and women in the U.S.

Based on yesterday’s report, the CDC is recommending an increased use of all screening tests for colorectal cancer. Screening may save thousands of lives each year, but it only works when people pick a test and do it.

(image: Tips Times, CC BY-SA 2.0) 

TAGGED:colon cancercolon cancer screening
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

car accident lawsuit
Let Your Lawyer Handle the Work Before You Pay Medical Costs
Policy & Law
July 6, 2025
women dental care
What Is a Smile Makeover and How Much Does It Cost?
Dental health
June 30, 2025
HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps
Top HIPAA-Compliant Messaging Apps for Healthcare Teams
Global Healthcare Policy & Law Technology
June 25, 2025
recovering from injury
Rebuilding After Injury: Path to Physical and Emotional Recovery
News
June 22, 2025

You Might also Like

America’s Aging Eyes

May 15, 2014
Health careWellness

The Truth About Depression and Anxiety in Your Nursing Staff

July 9, 2018

Multiple Lifestyle Interventions May Help Those at Risk for Alzheimer’s

July 27, 2014
social media healthcare
eHealthMobile HealthPolicy & LawPublic HealthSocial MediaSpecialtiesTechnology

Diabetes and Oncology at Doctors 2.0 & You

April 30, 2013
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?