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Colorectal Cancer Screening Saves Lives

June 24, 2022

ISMS has joined the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE)’s campaign to help raise awareness in Illinois among primary care physicians and gastroenterologists, as well as patients, about the risks associated with colorectal cancer and the life-saving screening options that are available.

Nearly one in three adults in the United States is not getting screened for colon cancer as recommended. Yet colon cancer is a disease that has a 90% survival rate when detected early. Further, most cancers can be prevented through polyp removal during a colonoscopy.

Today, screening is recommended to begin at 45 years of age and is also recommended for:

  • Patients of any age who exhibit symptoms, such as rectal bleeding, anemia, a change in bowel habits, persistent abdominal pain or unintentional weight loss
  • Those who are at high risk, such as those who have had a pre-cancerous colorectal polyp or prior history of colorectal cancer
  • Those with a family history of colorectal cancer

To learn more, download ASGE’s interactive screening test.

If you have questions, please contact the ISMS Health Policy Research and Advocacy team by email.

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