Colorectal
screening rates are still low. A new study looked at surveys of 13,480
adults aged 50 and older and they found that only 50% had been screened for
colon cancer in 2005. That was an improvement from 43% in 2000, but the
authors say the rate needs to increase even more because screening tests have
been proven to reduce deaths from the disease. One of the factors
involved may be health insurance coverage. Of those who are uninsured,
only 24.1% were screened compared with more than 50% of the insured.
Other factors that influence the screening rate are education, income, and
frequency of physician contract. The bottom line is this...we strongly
recommend colonoscopy as a screening tool. We know it's embarrassing; we
know you're afraid of it, but the bottom line is it's a lot easier to deal with
than colon cancer.
We always
appreciate your comments.
