The National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable (NCCRT) has a new goal: an 80% Colon Cancer screening rate by 2018.
Dozens of organizations signed a pledge to get 80% screened by 2018. This includes the underinsured, underserved and uninsured populations around the country, as well as states that don’t have screening programs. Currently, only 25 states and four tribes across the country have funding for screening programs from the Center of Disease Control (CDC). With this new pledge, any state can now apply for funding.
Being screened, as defined by the pledge, allows for all four types of colorectal screening: Colonoscopies, Fecal Immune Testing (FIT), the Fecal Occult Blood Testing and sigmoidoscopies. It is recommended to repeat colonoscopies every 10 years, whereas the other methods are usually repeated every 5 years. As the 
NCCRT says, “The best test is the one that gets done.”
As far as fighting Colorectal Cancer goes, this is a huge step in the right direction. Organizations in the roundtable, such as the CDC, NIH and NCCR are working collaboratively towards this goal, rather than working as independent organizations.
So what role do the Get Your Rear in Gear Races play in all of this? Well, money raised in each city go back to the race city that they came from. This means that states such as South Carolina and Texas can use the money raised from their Get Your Rear in Gear races to start building a screening program and apply for CDC grants.
The Colon Cancer Coalition is looking forward to working with different states to help structure screening plans. The hope is that this will not only help reach the goal of 80% screened by 2018, but it will go a step further and lead to statewide partnerships and sponsorships.
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer related deaths in the U.S. Luckily screening can prevent it, so do your part and encourage all family and friends 50+ to get screened! It saves lives.
I have been concerned about Colon Cancer since the age of 14/15 yr.after I shadowed Dr.Blain Cobb,in Corning,NY after I received my Eagle Scout award.I even started my work on Capsule Endoscopy that could detect polyp.In 1985,colonoscopy used be uncomfortable as no anesthesia was used. For this reason,I studied medicine at Johns Hopkins Univ. Med.School where I was the youngest student in my class.My passion for painless screening never stopped.Finally with the help of another gastroenterologist,I filed patents for Capsule Endoscopy and received 2 patents. So when I finished my fellowship training at the Cleveland Clinic in Gastroenterology,I became more committed to reduce Colon Cancer.Katie Couric was my original Hero.So when Kristine Lindquist started GETYOURREARINGEAR,I offered her my free service as a doctor when it was founded.
For many years,I have written several blogs and articles trying to persuade people to get screening at 40 and not wait till 50 based on Katie Couric research as well as CDC data that 18.9% get Colon Cancer before the age of 54.Dr.Oz reported that at 50,25% of people have polyp.He himself was shocked to find precancerous polyp at 50.He had no symptom.
Dr.Oz went on Larry King Live to talk about Colon Cancer screening–4 years ago.
However Colon Cancer screening is stuck at 55-60%. In Illinois where I live, Screening rate is very low compared to Michigan where screening rate is 75% Why ? I ask– Illinois and Michigan are separated by a Lake-then why 75% get screened in Michigan? Why can’t we increase screening to 75% in Illinois or 80% which is the goal of Colon Cancer COALITION.
Screening for breast cancer is much higher in Illinois.
The answer is due to 2 reasons.
1) Local community involvement by Komen.–which does a great job.
2) Cost of screening– Breast Cancer screening is cheaper than Colon Cancer screening in the hospital.
So I looked around and found that best way to lower Colon Cancer screening is to do in my office and request those who can’t afford to come to my office for screening.
People are saving over 50%.
I think– both reasons–AWARENESS and Lower Cost are important to raise Screening for Colon Cancer to 80% and above.
Nice effort by NCCRT , awareness turns the impossible to possible..
[…] will have access to preventative screening – further working toward the national goal of 80% by 2018. Morton Comprehensive Health Services is the largest Community Health Center (CHC) […]
[…] 50. Though colorectal cancer screening has been part of Sea Mar’s health program, taking the NCCRT pledge of an 80% screening rate by 2018 has motivated them to raise their own screening rate of 44% […]