Thanksgiving is probably the most anticipated meal of the year, but it can cause serious discomfort for people who suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. This year, plan your Thanksgiving menu early to help minimize troublesome symptoms from acid reflux. .

According to the American College of Gastroenterology, 20 percent of Americans have GERD. There is no single cause for the condition, but it is characterized by a weak muscle between the esophagus and stomach. The most common symptoms of GERD are regurgitation and heartburn, but not everyone with GERD experiences both symptoms.

National GERD Awareness Week

November 20-26 is National GERD Awareness Week, a time for people who experience symptoms of GERD to seek medical treatment. This year, Thanksgiving falls on the Thursday within National GERD Awareness! If you or a family member has GERD, you can create a GERD-friendly holiday meal that can reduce painful heartburn.

As you plan your menu and shopping list, remember the common GERD trigger foods, which include:

• Coffee
• Citrus fruits and juices
• Chocolate
• Mint
• Tomatoes
• Carbonated drinks
• Alcohol
• Fatty foods
• Spicy foods
• Fried foods

Tips to avoid heartburn on Thanksgiving Day

You can also make some strategic decisions about the Thanksgiving meal to prevent GERD symptoms. Many traditional dishes like mashed potatoes, green bean casserole and candied sweet potatoes are high in fat and may aggravate heartburn. Consider replacing casseroles with steamed or roasted vegetables seasoned with olive oil and fresh herbs.

Timing is also important. Experts suggest eating earlier in the day to allow more time to digest the meal. Alcohol is a heartburn trigger for many people, so you may want to avoid alcohol or just have a small glass of wine with your early meal. Instead of an after-dinner coffee or glass of spirits, consider drinking a soothing cup of herbal tea.

Seek prompt treatment for GERD symptoms

It is easy to make excuses for heartburn, but delaying GERD diagnosis and treatment could pose serious health risks. Untreated GERD can cause chest pain or a narrowing of the esophagus called a stricture. It can also cause pre-cancerous changes to the esophageal lining called Barrett’s esophagus.

Make an appointment with your gastroenterologist

Contact your gastroenterologist if you experience persistent heartburn, regurgitation, or any of the following symptoms:

• Difficulty swallowing
• Feeling that food is trapped behind the chest
• Choking or wheezing
• Weight loss

Your doctor can recommend lifestyle modifications and medication, if necessary. Call today to make an appointment to discuss your symptoms.

A recent study published in the New England Journal of Medicine has generated considerable attention regarding the value of screening colonoscopy.

Unfortunately, some media reports of the results have caused confusion about the effectiveness of this preferred colorectal cancer screening method.

“The study recently published in the New England Journal of Medicine actually confirms what we have known for years — screening colonoscopy works,” said Jay Popp, MD, AMSURG Medical Staff Lead.

“It underscores the importance of not letting the headlines guide your healthcare decisions. Instead, base your decisions on facts and a discussion with your healthcare provider,” Dr. Popp said.

Screenings Effective if Completed

In the study, more than 84,000 men and women ages 55-64 from Poland, Norway, and Sweden were randomly invited to have a screening colonoscopy.

Only 42 percent of those invited to have a colonoscopy actually underwent the procedure. The study showed, however, the procedure was beneficial to their health.

“The take-home message here is that patients undergoing colonoscopy in this study had a 31 percent reduction in the development of colon cancer and a 50 percent reduction in death from colon cancer,” Dr. Popp said.

“This study shows that colonoscopy screening is effective — if it is completed. The test can’t prevent cancer if it isn’t done,” Dr. Popp added. “Adherence to screening, whichever method you choose, is the only way to prevent colon cancer.”

Dr. Popp noted the Norway study also reveals the importance of obtaining a quality exam.

“Two benchmarks that have been established and recognized as indicators of a quality exam include adenoma detection rate (ADR) and colon withdrawal time,” Dr. Popp said.

For each 1 percent increase in ADR there is a 3 percent decrease in colorectal cancer risk, according to a 2014 study published in The New England Journal of Medicine.

“About a third of the physicians participating (in the Norway study) had ADRs of less than 25 percent,” Dr. Popp said.

By comparison, the US benchmark for ADRs is 25 percent. Knowing a physician’s ADR is an important factor in selecting the specialist with whom you feel most confident performing your colonoscopy.

In this study, participants were followed for a median of 10 years.

“The benefits of colonoscopy take time,” Dr. Popp said. “To really know the benefits of screening, patients would need to be followed for a much longer period of time.”

Get Screened at age 45

Colorectal cancer is the second-deadliest cancer in the US, but it doesn’t have to be. This type of cancer is preventable through timely screenings.

Healthcare agencies recommend people at average risk for developing colorectal cancer get their first screening at age 45. The five-year survival rate is about 90 percent when colorectal cancer is found at an early stage before it has spread to other organs.

Many screening methods are available, but colonoscopy is the only screening method that can both detect and prevent colorectal cancer. The disease often begins as a growth, called a polyp, inside the colon or rectum. Through a quality colonoscopy, polyps can be both detected and removed before they become cancerous.

“Colonoscopy remains the gold standard,” Dr. Popp said, “but the best screening test is the one that actually gets done!”

Our gastroenterologists perform quality colonoscopy screenings at surgery centers around the country. Call today to schedule your appointment.

As the calendar year closes, assessing whether you have utilized your healthcare benefits to the maximum is wise. If you have met your deductible, now is an excellent time to schedule a GI procedure or screening colonoscopy before the year ends.

Colonoscopy Is a Lifesaving Procedure

Getting screened for colon cancer may not be at the top of your to-do list, but it deserves to be a priority. Colonoscopy can detect and prevent colon cancer because your doctor can remove polyps before they become cancerous. In fact, the five-year survival rate is 90 percent when colonoscopy detects colon cancer early.

Some patients feel anxiety about a colonoscopy because it involves a bowel prep, sedation and the need to take time off work. While preparation is necessary to ensure that the colon is empty, colonoscopy is a simple, painless procedure. A gastroenterologist examines the lining of the colon for pre-cancerous polyps while you are sedated for approximately 30 minutes. If polyps are found during the procedure, they can be removed and sent to a laboratory for analysis.

Other methods of colon cancer screenings like flexible sigmoidoscopy, double contrast barium enema or stool tests do not offer the same benefits. A positive result means you would have to get a follow-up colonoscopy. Therefore, it’s best to go with a colonoscopy — the gold standard for colon cancer screening.

Schedule Your Colonoscopy at an ASC

Everyone wants to maximize their healthcare dollars. Most health insurance deductibles reset in January, so scheduling procedures and screenings are advantageous after you have met your deductible.

Most insurance plans cover a screening colonoscopy, but there may be additional fees for anesthesia and the facility where the test is performed. You can usually save money by scheduling your procedure at an ambulatory surgery center (ASC) because there are fewer overhead costs. In addition, ASCs usually offer convenient parking and a more comfortable setting.

If you are primarily concerned about cost, there is good news. The Affordable Care Act requires most private insurers to cover the costs of colorectal cancer (CRC) screening tests. As of May 31, 2022, one crucial guideline change is that most patients will not pay out-of-pocket costs for a follow-up colonoscopy after a positive stool test. Plans vary, so it is essential to contact your provider to determine your coverage.

Know Your Risk for Colon Cancer

It is important to be familiar with your risk for colon cancer. Most cases of colon cancer are not hereditary. In fact, heredity only accounts for about 5 to 10 percent of colon cancer cases. Most adults are at average risk for colon cancer, but you are considered to be at increased risk if you have any of the following:

• A family history of rectal or colon cancer or precancerous polyps
• Previous colon cancer or colon polyps
• Inflammatory bowel diseases like ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease
• Lynch syndrome
• Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)

New Colon Cancer Screening Guidelines

Young-onset colon cancer is becoming more prevalent every year. Because the average age of colon cancer onset is decreasing, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force advises that adults at average risk for colon cancer should begin screening at age 45. However, if you have a family history of colon cancer, precancerous polyps or certain genetic cancer syndromes, you may need to begin screening earlier.

Everyone is at risk for colon cancer, but you can take precautions to lower your risk:

• Avoid smoking.
• Use alcohol in moderation.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Reduce intake of red meat and processed foods.
• Increase servings of fresh fruit and vegetables.
• Exercise regularly.

Schedule Your Colonoscopy at Age 45

Don’t leave any of your healthcare benefits on the table. Contact your insurance company to verify your status and call today to schedule your colonoscopy or GI procedure at an ASC.

A recent data analysis discovered that racial and ethnic disparities continue to affect survival rates in early-onset colorectal cancer (CRC) patients.

According to the study, the five-year survival rate for Hispanics, Blacks or Asians with early-onset CRC did not improve during a 20-year period. The study focused on patients between 1992 and 2013. Early onset means the patient receives a diagnosis before the age of 50.

The data revealed the only survival rate improvement was in white patients.

Researchers identified 33,777 individuals newly diagnosed with early-onset CRC between Jan. 1, 1992, and Dec. 31, 2013. Of these, 58.5 percent were white; 14.5 percent Hispanic; 14 percent Black and 13 percent Asian. Statistics came from the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program of cancer registries.

The study revealed “Blacks had not caught up to whites in surviving early-onset CRC.”

“Survival for Blacks diagnosed from 2003 to 2013 remained even lower than for whites diagnosed a decade earlier,” said Timothy Zaki, MD, the study’s lead author.

The analysis also noted key treatment data for Hispanic and Asian patients.

“Our study’s identification of disparities among younger Hispanic and Asian adults adds to existing literature,” Dr. Zaki told MedicalXpress. “However, we lack information, such as what treatment these individuals received, that could help explain the disparities, so we are still left with the question of why they exist.”

Scientists believe there are reasons for racial and ethnic healthcare disparities. These reasons may include “employment, insurance status, income and education level, behaviors (e.g., tobacco, alcohol, diet), environment (e.g., rural or urban), social support and cultural factors.”

Dr. Zaki noted concern that health disparities may worsen now that recommendations for CRC screening start at age 45, not 50.

“If more are screened who have the means and inclination to do so — but we fail to make progress in other populations — we could see these gaps widening,” Dr. Zaki told MedicalXpress.

Colon Cancer Health Risks for Hispanics

As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15-Oct. 15) in the United States, it is important to recognize the health and well-being of our Hispanic population.

New statistics appear in the American Cancer Society’s (ACS’s) Cancer Facts & Figures for Hispanic/Latino People 2021-2023:

• CRC is the second-deadliest cancer among Hispanic males.
• CRC is the third-deadliest cancer among Hispanic females.
• CRC causes about 2,700 deaths among Hispanic males.
• CRC causes about 2,000 deaths among Hispanic females.

A colorectal cancer diagnosis is preventable through screening.

Get screened at 45

Healthcare agencies recommend CRC screening begin at 45, even without symptoms. Patients with digestive symptoms should seek medical care regardless of age.

In 2018, colon cancer screening prevalence was 9 percent lower for Hispanics than non-Hispanic whites among adults 45 and older, according to the ACS.

Colonoscopy is the preferred method for screening because colorectal cancer can be both detected and removed during the same procedure. Other screenings can detect the presence of cancer cells or hidden blood in the stool. However, if a patient receives a positive test result, he or she will need a follow-up colonoscopy.

Health insurance plans within the Affordable Care Act provide no-cost coverage for preventive and follow-up colonoscopy screenings. Contact your provider to determine your coverage.

If you do not have insurance, there are resources to learn about a low-cost or free colonoscopy. Some resources include the Colorectal Cancer Alliance Helpline, ColonoscopyAssist or your state’s health and human services or department of public health.

Patients who are at high risk for colon cancer may need to be screened before age 45. In addition, patients with digestive symptoms should seek medical attention regardless of age. Colonoscopy should always be the screening test of choice for those who have any of the following:

• Previous CRC diagnosis
• History of adenomas
• Inflammatory bowel disease, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
• Family history of colon cancer or certain types of polyps
• Inherited colon cancer syndrome (e.g., Lynch Syndrome)

It is important to discuss CRC risks and symptoms with your family and doctor. It is also important to get screened. Both may save your life or the life of a loved one.

Our doctors perform colonoscopy screenings at surgery centers around the country. Schedule an appointment today.

A dozen patients with rectal cancer experienced 100 percent remission in a recent phase II clinical trial.

This breakthrough resulted from an experimental immunotherapy study conducted at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. The results were published in the New England Journal of Medicine in June.

“Immunotherapy harnesses the body’s own immune system as an ally against cancer,” according to the center.

The clinical trial researched if immunotherapy alone could beat rectal cancer that had not spread to other tissues.

All patients in the trial had stage II or stage III rectal tumors that contained a specific genetic mutation. This mutation is known as mismatch repair-deficient (MMRd) or microsatellite instability (MSI).

The patients were given the checkpoint inhibitor dostarlimab (Jemperli) intravenously every three weeks for six months.

Researcher Luis Alberto Diaz, MD, said the tumors were closely tracked using “imaging, visualization such as endoscopy, as well as other methods.”

The center reported in every case that the rectal cancer disappeared after immunotherapy. “The cancer has not returned in any of the patients, who have been cancer-free for up to two years,” according to the center.

None of the patients underwent standard treatment options — radiation, surgery or chemotherapy.

Patients Had MMRd Tumors, Lynch Syndrome

About 45,000 Americans are diagnosed each year with rectal cancer. Between 5 and 10 percent of all rectal cancer patients may have MMRd tumors, according to the center’s website.

In addition to MMRd tumors, eight of the patients in the study had Lynch syndrome. Lynch syndrome is “an inherited condition that puts people at significantly higher risk of rectal, colon and other cancers.”

Both MMRd and Lynch syndrome made these patients’ cancer particularly sensitive to immunotherapy, according to the center.

“Lynch syndrome is associated with poorer outcomes from chemotherapy and surgery,” according to the center.

“Our first duty is to save our patient’s life,” said researcher Andrea Cercek, MD.

A second goal was to preserve patients’ quality of life. Rectal cancer patients who undergo surgery, radiation and chemotherapy can experience side effects. These side effects could include bowel and bladder dysfunction, incontinence, infertility and sexual dysfunction.

“This approach, if the results are confirmed, holds out the hope of cure without the need for potentially toxic therapy and the need to tolerate long-term negative treatment consequences in order to achieve a cure,” said Dr. Diaz at the 2022 American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting.

The cancer center plans to continue the research study, ultimately enrolling 30 patients. Follow up will be needed to determine if these results are long lasting.

Hanna K. Sanoff, MD, MPH, at the University of North Carolina Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, shared her thoughts on the results: “These initial findings of the remarkable benefit with the use of dostarlimab are very encouraging but also need to be viewed with caution until the results can be replicated in a larger and more diverse population” (Medical Xpress).

Don’t Delay Colorectal Cancer Screening

The American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates more than 150,000 individuals will be diagnosed with colon and rectal cancer in 2022.

More than 52,000 will die from the disease this year, according to the ACS.

In the United States, colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second-leading cause of cancer death.

CRC is one of the most preventable cancers through timely screenings. The disease often begins as a growth, called a polyp, inside the colon or rectum, according to the National Cancer Institute.

Leading health organizations now recommend screenings starting at age 45, not 50, for all average-risk individuals. People at high risk or who have a family history of the disease should be screened earlier.

Many screening methods are available for CRC, but a colonoscopy is the gold standard. Colonoscopy can both detect and even prevent CRC. During this procedure, a doctor can find and remove polyps in the colon (large intestine) or rectum before they become cancerous.

Most health insurance covers colonoscopy as a preventive screening or as a follow-up to evaluate a positive stool-based test. Patients aged 45 and older should check with their policyholder about this coverage.

When CRC is found at an early stage before it has spread, the five-year survival rate is about 90 percent. Our doctors perform colonoscopy screenings at surgery centers around the country. Schedule an appointment today.

Early diagnosis of diseases like colon cancer saves millions of lives each year. Getting a quality cancer screening test is important to diagnose diseases early.

Unfortunately, some patients who are overweight or obese are avoiding life-saving cancer screenings. British researchers reported some patients fear their doctor’s judgment about their weight. The report was published online in Obesity Science and Practice.

Delaying or avoiding cancer screening tests like colonoscopy may hurt a person’s health. Lead researcher Yitka Graham said these screenings are “vital to early diagnosis and favorable outcomes.”

In the report, women living with obesity were less likely to be screened for cervical cancer. Men who were overweight or obese were less likely to be screened for colon cancer, according to the review.

People avoided screenings because of “embarrassment, negative body image and trouble with imaging equipment.”

Excess Weight Increases Colon Cancer Risk

If your weight is higher than what is considered healthy for your height, you may be overweight or obese. Body Mass Index (BMI) is a person’s weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters. A high BMI can indicate being overweight (BMI 25-<30) or obese (BMI >30).

According to the World Health Organization, 650 million adults worldwide are obese.

Excess weight increases the risk of developing 12 types of cancer, including colon cancer. So, timely screenings are crucial for early diagnosis and prevention.

“Getting recommended cancer screenings is critically important for people with obesity, who may be at a higher risk for some cancers,” Kristen Sullivan told MedicalXpress. Sullivan is the director of nutrition and physical activity at the American Cancer Society (ACS).

Graham is head of the Helen McArdle Nursing and Care Research Institute at the University of Sunderland in the United Kingdom. She said healthcare professionals need to encourage people to access healthcare services without fear of stigma or judgment.

“This has implications for early clinical interventions needed to diagnose, assess and treat common cancers, with the consequence of potential adverse outcomes and increased cancer mortality for those living with obesity,” Graham told MedicalXpress.

Sullivan said some doctors are educating themselves on how to reduce biases and stereotypes against patients with higher BMIs.

In the meantime, Sullivan told MedicalXpress that people who are overweight or obese must be their own advocates.

Don’t Delay Colon Cancer Screening

In 2020, about 12 percent of all cases of colorectal cancer occurred in individuals younger than 50, according to the ACS. Patients diagnosed before age 50 were more likely to have advanced disease at diagnosis.

By 2030, 10.9 percent of all colon cancers and 22.9 percent of all rectal cancers will affect patients younger than 50. This is compared with 4.8 percent and 9.5 percent, respectively, in 2010.

Colorectal cancer cases have been increasing in adults ages 40-54. Recently, healthcare agencies started recommending screenings begin at 45 for people at average risk for the disease. If you have a family history of colon cancer or polyps, you should be screened earlier. People with digestive symptoms should consult their physician regardless of age.

Individuals with higher BMIs risk their health by avoiding recommended colon cancer screenings.

Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in the United States. With screenings starting at 45, the ACS reports that 60 percent of colon cancer fatalities could be prevented.

Many screening methods are available, but a quality colonoscopy is the gold standard. This procedure allows your doctor to see the entire length of the colon to examine for and remove precancerous polyps. It is the only screening that can both detect and prevent colon cancer.

No matter your weight, if you are 45 or older, don’t delay colon cancer screening. Take the first step to better health and schedule a quality colonoscopy.

Should height be considered when screening for colon cancer? A new meta-analysis published in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention suggests taller people may be more likely to develop colon cancer than shorter people.

How Much Does Height Affect Colon Cancer Risk?

A research team at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine examined 47 international studies that included more than 280,000 colon cancer cases and 14,000 cases of adenomas.

The study found that individuals in the highest percentile of height had a 24 percent higher risk of developing colon cancer than individuals in the lowest percentile for height. Individuals increased their risk for colon cancer by 14 percent for every four-inch increase in height.

The average American male is 5 feet, 9 inches tall, and the average American female is 5 feet, 4 inches tall (CDC). Therefore, men who are 6 feet, 1 inch tall and women who are 5 feet, 8 inches tall are 14 percent more likely to develop colon cancer and 6 percent more likely to develop adenomas.

Tallness Overlooked as a Colon Cancer Risk Factor

This is not the first time researchers have considered height in colon cancer risk. Experts have studied height as a non-modifiable risk factor for several cancers, including colon cancer. However, previous studies produced inconsistent results and did not include the risk of precancerous polyps called adenomas.

“This is the largest study of its kind to date,” said study co-author Gerard Mullin, MD, associate professor of gastroenterology and hepatology. “It builds on evidence that taller height is an overlooked risk factor and should be considered when evaluating and recommending patients for colorectal cancer screenings.”

Doctors focus primarily on age and genetic risks for colon cancer, but this study suggests tallness could be just as significant of a risk as lifestyle choices and eating habits.

“There are well-known modifiable dietary associations for colorectal cancer, such as processed red meats and smoking, but guidelines currently are fixated on family history, and height is clinically neglected when it comes to risk screening,” Mullins said.

Body Organ Size May Influence Colon Cancer Risk

How does tallness correlate to increased susceptibility to colon cancer? Researchers suspect taller stature means body organs tend to be larger.

“More active proliferation in organs of taller people could increase the possibility of mutations leading to malignant transformation,” said Elinor Zhou, MD, co-first author of the study. More research on this topic is necessary, but Dr. Zhou suggests taller athletes and those with inherited tallness, like those with Marfan’s syndrome, may need to be screened earlier.

Begin Colonoscopy Screenings at 45

Are you due for a colon cancer screening? Colonoscopy is the gold standard of colon cancer screenings because it allows your doctor to inspect the entire colon and remove precancerous polyps before they develop into cancer. It’s the only test that detects and prevents colon cancer.

Most cases of colon cancer are preventable with a routine colonoscopy, beginning at age 45. Call your gastroenterologist and schedule an appointment.

A new study found that patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) who had a colonoscopy every one to three years were less likely to be diagnosed with advanced colon cancer.

IBD Increases Colon Cancer Risk

Colon cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Although anyone can develop colon cancer, certain risk factors and conditions can increase the likelihood of developing the disease. One condition that can increase the risk of colon cancer is IBD, a general term that describes chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract.

There are two types of IBD:

• Ulcerative colitis — a chronic condition that causes inflammation of the colon
• Crohn’s disease — a chronic condition that affects the digestive tract lining. Patients with Crohn’s disease may have healthy parts of the intestine as well as inflamed regions in both the small and large bowel.

Colon inflammation can cause a constant turnover of cells in the lining of the intestine, which increases the likelihood of cell irregularities that can result in cancer.

IBD Patients May Need a Colonoscopy Every One to Three Years

A new study published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology evaluated how varying colonoscopy intervals affected colon cancer outcomes in patients with IBD. The outcomes evaluated included the following:

• Stage of colon cancer at the time of detection
• Colon cancer treatment
• Mortality

The study showed that “Colonoscopy within three years prior to CRC [colorectal cancer] diagnosis compared with no colonoscopy was less likely to be diagnosed with late tumor stage,” said Hyun-seok Kim, MD, MPH, of Baylor College of Medicine. “Colonoscopy within one year was associated with lower all-cause mortality than no colonoscopy. Our findings support the use of surveillance colonoscopy to improve CRC outcomes in IBD patients” (Healio).

How IBD Patients Can Reduce Risk of Colon Cancer

If you have IBD, there are some steps you can take to reduce your risk of colon cancer:

1. See a gastroenterologist at least once per year or if you have any changes in symptoms.
2. Schedule your colonoscopy at intervals recommended by your gastroenterologist.
3. Follow all instructions from your GI doctor to prepare for a colonoscopy.
4. Take prescribed medications as directed, even when your IBD is under control.
5. Contact your doctor if one of your family members develops colon cancer or precancerous polyps.
6. Eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly.

Colonoscopy Is the Gold Standard of Colon Cancer Screening

Colon cancer is highly treatable when doctors find it early. Colonoscopy is the gold standard of colon cancer screening because it is the only test that allows a doctor to detect and remove pre-cancerous polyps in the same procedure. It is the only test that is appropriate for individuals who have a family history of colon cancer.

Make an Appointment for a Colonoscopy

The American Cancer Society recommends that all adults at average risk for colon cancer begin screening at 45. Don’t delay in scheduling your colonoscopy. This test is a life-saving procedure, so call your gastroenterologist today and make an appointment for a screening.

Many patients getting screened for colorectal cancer (CRC) soon will not have to pay out of pocket for a follow-up colonoscopy to evaluate a positive, non-invasive CRC-screening test.

New federal guidance released in January will soon require health insurance plans to fully cover the cost of a follow-up colonoscopy to evaluate a positive result from an MTs-DNA stool-based test (Cologuard) as well as a fecal immunochemical test (FIT).

“Ensuring individuals have access to this lifesaving screening will significantly reduce suffering and death from this disease,” Lisa Lacasse, president of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN), told MedicalXpress.

It is important to understand that if your FIT or Cologuard test comes back positive for colon cancer, a follow-up colonoscopy is critical for your health. You are twice as likely to develop more advanced colon cancer if you skip this follow-up procedure.

In the past, cost has been a significant barrier to many people, making it a primary reason not to get the follow-up colonoscopy. This new follow-up screening coverage is for plan or policy years beginning on or after May 31, 2022. Patients need to check with their insurance provider about this coverage.

“This guidance will help ensure that patients can choose the test that is best for them without worrying about out-of-pocket costs,” Anjee Davis, MPPA, president of Fight Colorectal Cancer told MedicalXpress. “Ultimately, this will save lives and support early detection of colorectal cancer.”

45 Is the New 50 for Colon Cancer Screening

Leading health organizations now recommend CRC screening starting at age 45, not 50, for all average-risk individuals due to an increase in the disease in younger people.

In 2020, the American Cancer Society (ACS) reported about 12 percent of all cases of CRC occurred in individuals younger than 50. Patients diagnosed prior to age 50 were more likely to have advanced disease at diagnosis.

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. and one of the most preventable through timely screenings. About 60 percent of all colon cancer fatalities in the United States could be prevented if every man and woman 45 or older chose to be screened for colon cancer, according to the ACS.

“This year alone, the American Cancer Society estimates more than 150,000 individuals will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer and more than 52,000 will die from the disease,” Lacasse told MedicalXpress. “But colorectal cancer is preventable when precancerous polyps are found and removed through a colonoscopy.”

Many screening methods are available for CRC, but a colonoscopy is the gold standard because it is the only screening that can both detect and prevent colon cancer.

According to a 2019 online survey, “colonoscopy was the most frequently preferred option for average-risk patients, favored by 96.9% of gastroenterologists and 75.7% of primary care clinicians.”

Prioritize Your Colon Cancer Screening

If you are 45 or older, prioritize your colon cancer screening. The five-year survival rate is about 90 percent when CRC is found at an early stage before it has spread.

Screenings save lives. Don’t delay your diagnosis. Don’t delay your colonoscopy. Call your gastroenterologist today.