Colon Cancer Screening Reaches Too Few: Report

Summary of Article:

Wider use of home screening tests for colorectal cancer would prevent unnecessary deaths, the Canadian Cancer Society says.  Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in Canada, with 8,900 Canadian expected to die from the disease this year, according to the group's annual cancer statistics, released on Wednesday.  The society estimated that between 10,000 and 15,000 deaths could be prevented over the next decade if 80% of Canadians age 50 and older were screened as recommended.  The society recommends that these Canadians get screened every two years with a simple stool test known as fecal occult blood test (FOBT), and the fecal immunochemical test (FIT).  The tests detect trace amounts of blood in the stool, which can be a sign of colorectal cancer.  Detecting cancer in people who have no symptoms is a major goal of cancer screening, said Gillian Bromfield, senior manager of Cancer Control Policy for the Canadian Cancer Society.  Canadians who have discussed colorectal cancer screening with their doctors are more than twice as likely to get screened regularly, Bromfield added.  The group recommends the following: maximizing regular participation and retention in screening programs and enhancing their quality, improving Canadians' awareness about screening and the fact that screening is for people with no symptoms, and more research into the risk factors for colorectal cancer and effective prevention and treatment.  Blogger Derek Miller died of colon cancer two weeks ago.  The Canadian Cancer Society estimates that roughly 8,900 people will die of the disease this year.

My Opinion of Article:

I think this is extremely important and everyone should be tested for colon cancer.  If these screenings are available, and can show a sign of colorectal cancer, why  not take it?  Many people who have cancer, often find it late and find it only when it has spread throughout their body.  If you can take a screening, you will find about the cancer earlier, before it spreads to the rest of the body.  These screenings can potentially save many lives and can hopefully be the start of the end of colon cancer.  8,900 people are estimated to die from colon cancer, this year alone.  This is way too many people to die for a cause that can be helped with these screenings.