March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
During Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month this March, the Madison County Health Department is urging men and women age 50 and older to talk to their doctor about testing options for colorectal cancer, and make getting tested for colorectal cancer a priority.
“Colorectal cancer is one of the most preventable types of cancer. That’s why screening is so important, because if caught early, the disease is highly treatable,” said Public Health Director, Eric Faisst.
If you have a personal or family history of colorectal cancer or colorectal polyps, or a personal or family history of another cancer or inflammatory bowel disease, talk with your doctor about earlier screening tests. In addition, men and women of any age with blood in their stool, weight loss without knowing why, or a change in their bowel habits, including aches and pains that do not go away, should talk to their doctor.
There are several screening options. People should always talk with their doctor about the best option for them. One option is a take home test that an individual can do in the privacy of their own home and mail into a lab for the results. This can be done yearly, and it tests for blood in the stool. Another option is a colonoscopy, which will take a look at the inside of the colon to see if there are any ulcers, polyps, tumors or areas of inflammation and/or bleeding. How often an individual will need a colonoscopy depends on what the doctor finds. A colonoscopy is recommended once every 10 years for people who are of average risk. There are other options, but these are the most common.
Screening is so important because if done as recommended, screening can find and remove precancerous polyps before they become cancer. Any cancer found at an early stage, while still small and before having spread, is more easily treated. More than half of all colorectal cancer deaths can be prevented by getting screened as recommended. Screening is the most important thing a person can do to prevent colorectal cancer.
For those insured through Medicaid, Medicare and commercial health plans, including those participating in the New York State of Health, colorectal cancer screening is covered with no cost to the
patient.
The Cancer Services Program of Oneida, Herkimer, and Madison Counties offers colorectal, breast and cervical cancer screening to eligible uninsured and underinsured individuals in in the tri-county area. To find out more information about free colorectal screenings, contact the Oneida County Health Department Cancer Services Program at 315-798- 5248.
For information on colorectal cancer screening, visit health.ny.gov/diseases/cancer/colorectal/screening.htm.