Michael Liu, MD, Parkview Physicians Group - Colon & Rectal Surgery, shares ten significant facts showing the importance of routine colorectal cancer screening.
- Excluding skin cancer, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in men and women in the U.S.
- In 2019, there will be approximately 101,000 new cases of colon cancer and 44,000 new cases of rectal cancer.
- Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men and in women.
- Lifetime risk of developing colorectal cancer is 1 in 22 men (4.49%) and 1 in 24 women (4.15%).
- Death rates from colorectal cancer have been decreasing due in part to screening.
- Screening can find polyps before they turn into cancer or find cancer at an earlier stage that is easier to treat.
- About 1 in 3 people in the U.S. who should be screened never get tested for colorectal cancer.
- There are multiple ways to get screened including at-home stool studies, imaging and colonoscopy.
- Colonoscopy is the gold-standard screening test.
- Colonoscopy is an overall short and safe procedure.
The American Cancer Society recommends that adults age 50 and older (45 and older for African Americans) be tested for colon cancer, beginning at age 50 and every 10 years after that. If you fall into this group, schedule a screening today.
With our One Call Referral Program, a knowledgeable specialist will ask you a series of questions to help determine which screening is appropriate for you. The specialist will assist you with:
- Getting easy-to-understand information on your procedure.
- Scheduling your procedure.
- Connecting with an experienced physician if you don’t have a current physician relationship.
- Billing, insurance and pre-certification questions.
- Understanding your screening results.
To speak to a One Call specialist, call 260-266-9085 (Indiana) or 419-636-4517 (Ohio).
