Eliminating Barriers To Colon Cancer Screening

There is good news for those worried about colon cancer. Physicians realize that cancer of the colon screening saves lives. Yet around 148,000 Americans, both girls and men, are clinically determined to have colorectal cancer each year, and every year around 55,000 will die-the nation's second deadliest cancer. Yet, it's considered most of these deaths could be prevented through testing. <br /><br />Nevertheless, professionals from the American College of Gastroenterology (ACG) warn that not enough Americans are receiving screened. Colorectal screening rates remain really low, even though Medicare and many private plans purchase screening tests. <br /><br />Despite increasing public awareness of cancer of the colon screening tests through the efforts of the others and Katie Couric, lots of people continue to experience obstacles to screening. Also Medicare beneficiaries, for whom incidence and death from the illness are greatest, encounter problems with use of screening colonoscopy. Visit [http://www.alwaysaboutsmiles.com/ teeth whitening bethlehem pa on-line] to compare where to engage in this idea. <br /><br />Congress Will Help <br /><br />"Pending legislation in the U.S. Congress, such as the A Cancerous Colon Screen for A Lifetime Act (S.1010/ H.R. 1632), promises to remove Medicare's obstacles to screening," claims ACG President Dr. Jack A. DiPalma of Mobile, Alabama. "But only one small development, the waiver of the Medicare deductible, was approved for 2006, so much remains to be done." <br /><br />Research indicates that colon cancer arises from precancerous stones or polyps that develop in the colon. When recognized early, these stones or polyps may be eliminated, actually avoiding the development of colon cancer. <br /><br />"With increased usage of colon cancer screening, we could save lives," brings Dr. DiPalma. <br /><br />The School currently advises colonoscopy every a decade beginning at age 50 for average-risk individuals since the preferred screening strategy to reduce colon cancer. <br /><br />For patients with greater risk facets such as a family history of cancer of the colon or even a previous particular history of polyps, and for African Americans, ACG recommends earlier and/or more regular screening with colonoscopy.