BALTIMORE, March 1 /PRNewswire/ -- A survey conducted in February by Harris Interactive of over 1200 people age 50 to 70 years found that three out of four eligible Americans are not being screened regularly for colon cancer, though they are being screened regularly for breast, prostate and cervical cancers. The American Cancer Society recommends regular colon cancer screening beginning at the age of 50.
Screening rates were highest among those respondents who claimed to be most knowledgeable about the disease. Conversely, the survey found that many of the people who were not screened at all lacked valuable information about colon cancer and screening options. Of those, one out of four respondents (26%) report that they had not been screened at all because their doctor never discussed colon cancer screening with them, 24% report never being screened because they do not have any symptoms, 17% did not feel as if they were at risk for colon cancer and another 8% did not know they were supposed to be screened for the disease. In addition, 28% did not want to have a colonoscopy.
“There is still a significant lack of awareness regarding colon cancer and colon cancer screening options, which is one of the principal reasons why people fail to get screened,” stated Dr. David Stein, director of education for the Colon Cancer Foundation and assistant professor & chief, division of colorectal surgery, Drexel University College of Medicine. “Survey respondents did express concern for their overall health and seem to understand the measures they need to take to stay healthy, yet they are not undergoing colon cancer screening at acceptable rates.”
In addition to a generally poor understanding of the disease and the need to be screened for it, respondents described many test-specific reasons why they avoid screening. While colonoscopy is currently the most accurate test, many respondents do not want an invasive procedure. Respondents reported that they would be at least two - three times more likely to be screened if the screening test was non-invasive, did not require bowel preparation, and could be performed at home.
“The survey data seem to indicate that the availability of a colorectal cancer screening system which combines a simple, no-prep, non-invasive test with a patient education program would significantly increase screening rates for this disease. Fortunately, such options are available,” added Bobby Smith, executive vice president of the Colon Cancer Foundation. “Stool DNA testing, for example, is a non-invasive screening option that requires no bowel preparation, sedation, medication or dietary restrictions. While everyone should get a colonoscopy if possible, stool DNA testing is a reasonable alternative for those individuals who may be unwilling or unable to undergo an invasive procedure.”
Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death and the third most common cancer found in men and women in this country. The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be about 106,680 new cases of colon cancer and 41,930 new cases of rectal cancer in 2006 in the United States. Combined, they will cause about 55,170 deaths.
About The Colon Cancer Foundation
The Susan Cohan Kasdas Colon Cancer Foundation was founded in 2004 by David Rodman Cohan. Mr. Cohan launched the Foundation after the tragic loss of his daughter, Susan, who is survived by two young children. The goal of the Foundation is to eliminate colon cancer as a life threatening disease through the development and dissemination of educational programs focused on prevention, early screening and detection, and aggressive therapeutic intervention. For more information on the Foundation, and prevention and treatment of colon cancer, please visit www.coloncancerfoundation.org.
The Harris Interactive survey was sponsored by EXACT Sciences Corporation. Contact: Melissa Hill Porter Novelli Life Sciences 858-527-3482 mhill@pnlifesciences.com
The Colon Cancer Foundation
CONTACT: Melissa Hill of Porter Novelli Life Sciences, +1-858-527-3482,mhill@pnlifesciences.com, for The Colon Cancer Foundation
Web site: http://www.coloncancerfoundation.org//
