No more excuses, it's time to get screened for colon cancer.
For cancers that affect both men and women, colorectal (colon) cancer is the number three cause of cancer deaths in America. But it doesn’t have to be.
Colon cancer is preventable with early detection, and removal, of polyps in the colon through colonoscopies. The goal with prostate and breast cancer screening is to detect it early to treat and cure it. The goal with colon cancer screening is to prevent it.
The benefits of early detection and treatment are dramatic. The possibility of curing patients after symptoms develop is only 50%, but if colorectal cancer is found and treated at an early stage before symptoms develop, the opportunity to cure it is 80% or better.
Are you at risk?
The risk of developing colorectal cancer increases with advancing age. More than 90% of cases occur in people aged 50 or older. According to the American Cancer Society, other risk factors for colorectal cancer include: history of polyps, history of colorectal cancer or inflammatory bowel disease; family history of colorectal cancer, and being of African American or Hispanic descent. Controllable factors like diet, exercise, weight, smoking and alcohol use also factor into the risk.
Affordable Care Act Provides Coverage for Colon Cancer Screening
Currently, lack of health insurance among the adult population is a key reason that just over half of Americans over age 50 are routinely screened. That number decreases to 15 percent among the uninsured population. Due to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) mandate that all Americans must have health care coverage either through a private policy or a government program, millions of additional people will gain health insurance coverage, which will likely lead to more people undergoing routine colorectal cancer screenings.
FEWER EXPENSES
One of the most significant barriers Americans face in receiving screening for colorectal cancer is the cost associated with colonoscopies. Insurance often brings down the cost of procedures like colonoscopies, and the provisions of the ACA provide additional financial support to encourage screenings.
The ACA requires all self-funded and commercial health insurance policies to cover colorectal cancer screening tests at no out-of-pocket cost to the consumer. With regard to Medicaid, the ACA expands program eligibility and encourages states to provide preventive services. To confirm your coverage, always check your policy carefully before a procedure.
Cancer Insurance Checklist
Not sure about what to do with the ACA and the new health care changes in light of your cancer or cancer risk? The Cancer Insurance Checklist Can help.
The checklist is designed to help you when shopping for insurance on the state’s Health Insurance Marketplace/Exchange if you have cancer, a history of cancer or are at risk for cancer. This resource can help you:
For more information on colorectal cancer and Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, visit the ASCRS Web site at http://www.fascrs.org/.
Dr. William Major, is a Waxahachie physician who is board-certified by the American Board of Surgery. He is a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons and a member of the Ellis County Medical Society and the Texas Medical Association.
Call-Out or Burst:
March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
Get Screened.
W. C. Major, M.D.
1626 U.S. 287 Business Suite 101
Waxahachie, TX 75165