March 7, 2022 – During the COVID-19 pandemic, Intermountain Healthcare physicians saw a 50% decrease in colorectal and other vital cancer screenings among patients across the state of Utah, leading them to remind Utahns not to delay their care, especially now that COVID transmission rates are easing.
Physicians say delays in screenings may mean that the missed cancers might be larger and more advanced than if they are discovered sooner during routine annual screenings. Since the routine screenings have dropped, physicians have seen a 15% increase in in stage 3 cancers in which chemotherapy is recommended.
As March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month, Intermountain physicians want Utahns to realize a colonoscopy has the potential to save lives. A colonoscopy can detect cancers and precancerous lesions while in the early stages, which is when they are the most treatable – but before other symptoms appear.
In the United States, colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men and in women, and the second most common cause of cancer deaths when men and women are combined. It’s expected to cause about 52,580 deaths during 2022.
New national guidelines have changed that now recommend people 45 years old (it used to be 50) to begin screening for colon cancer.
Who should be screened?
- Any man or woman aged 45 or older
- Anyone with a close relative who has had colorectal cancer or polyps
- Anyone with a history of certain medical conditions that affect the colon
In the past, one of the only ways to screen was a colonoscopy, however new advancements allow people to screen more often using a Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) kit at home.
The FIT isn’t set to replace a colonoscopy, but can serve as a vital tool for regular monitoring for those with low to moderate risk of colorectal cancer. Physicians agree, If FIT results come back positive, a colonoscopy should be scheduled.