Colorectal Cancer Screening Rates Increasing

(March 16, 2008) - More people are getting screened for colorectal cancer. (Read about "Cancer Check-ups" "Colorectal Cancer") The percentage of U.S. adults aged 50 years and older getting screened for colorectal cancer is increasing according to a study released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC). It is estimated that 60.8 percent of adults are current with colorectal cancer screening recommendations, compared with 53.9 percent four years earlier.

"While we are encouraged to see an increase in colorectal cancer screening rates, certain groups are still not getting screened as recommended," said Djenaba A. Joseph, M.D., the report's lead author and medical officer, Division of Cancer Prevention and Control. "We need to ensure that all adults have access to these life-saving tests because there is strong scientific evidence that screening can prevent colorectal cancer deaths."

Screening prevalence was lower among all racial and ethnic minorities studied compared to whites. The study also reports that screening rates continue to be lower among those without health insurance, with low income, and with less than a high school education.

Screening tests for colorectal cancer can find precancerous polyps (abnormal growths) in the colon and rectum before they turn into cancer. (Read about "Colon Polyps") Screening also helps find this cancer at an early stage when treatment can be most effective.