Colon Cancer Screening Rates Too Low
New Blood Test May Make Screening Easier
WebMD News Archive
March 13, 2003 -- Even though colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S., new statistics show that only about half of American adults over 50 are getting the recommended screening. Although the thought of receiving a colonoscopy or barium enema may make some people squirm, researchers say regular colorectal cancer screening could prevent many of the nearly 60,000 deaths caused by the disease in the U.S. each year.
In addition, a new study suggests that an experimental new blood test may soon make it easier to identify people who may be at increased risk for colon cancer and would require more rigorous screening.
In a report released today by the CDC, researchers found that only about 45% of adults over 50 in 2001 have ever had FOBT (a test that checks for blood in a person's stool) and less than a quarter had one within the last 12 months, as recommended.
The study also found that only 47% had ever had a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy, screening tests that involve inserting a scope into the rectum to look for unusual growths. Overall, only 53% of adults over 50 had received one or a combination of the two types of screening tests within the recommended time period.
Researchers say those 2001 rates are an improvement over those found in earlier years. For example, less than 20% of adults over 50 in 1997 and 1999 had received FOBT within the last year and less than a third had received a colonscopy or sigmoidoscopy in the last five years.
But they say the findings show that colorectal cancer screening rates are much lower than screening rates for other types of cancer, such as breast and cervical cancer, and increased awareness of the problem is needed to ensure wider access to colorectal cancer screening.
Current guidelines by the American Cancer Society call for adults over 50 to receive one or a combination of the following colon cancer screening options:
- Annual home fecal occult blood testing (FOBT).
- Sigmoidoscopy every five years.
- Colonoscopy every 10 years.
- Double contrast barium enema every five years.