Colon cancer is one of few cancers that can be prevented through regular screening.
Los Angeles – In recognition of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in March, L.A. Care Health Plan today announced its pledge to increase colorectal cancer awareness through the National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable’s (NCCRT) “80% by 2018” initiative to eliminate colorectal cancer as a major health concern.
Led by the American Cancer Society (ACS), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable (co-founded by ACS and CDC), the initiative’s nearly 200 supporting organizations share the goal of having 80% of adults aged 50 and older regularly screened for colorectal cancer by 2018.
Colorectal cancer is a major cause of cancer-related deaths, and one of only a few cancers that can be prevented. Through proper colorectal cancer screening, doctors can find and remove hidden growths (polyps) in the colon before they become cancerous. Removing polyps can prevent cancer altogether.
“Colorectal cancer is a major health concern,” said David Veneziano, executive vice president of the American Cancer Society’s California Division. “All adults age 50 and older should be regularly tested, but many aren’t because they don’t believe they are at risk, don’t understand there are testing options, or don’t think they can afford it.”
“Colorectal cancer in its early stages usually has no symptoms, so everyone 50 and older should get tested,” Veneziano said. “There are several screening options – even take home tests. Nearly all public and private insurance plans cover colorectal cancer screening and local resources are available to help those who are uninsured.”
Although colorectal cancer incidence rates have dropped 30 percent in the United States over the last 10 years among adults 50 and older, there is still much work to be done. Despite being highly preventable, detectable, and treatable, colorectal cancer is still the second leading cause of cancer death when men and women are combined. In 2014, 137,000 cases of colorectal cancer were diagnosed in the United States, and nearly 4,000 of those cases were in L.A. County.
Throughout March, L.A. Care will support American Cancer Society efforts to inform susceptible populations about the importance of colorectal cancer screening. To ensure an adequate level of awareness among its members, L.A. Care has created health education content on its website and will disseminate screening reminders through its social media channels and mailings.
“We are proud to join the cause to raise awareness of colorectal cancer,” said L.A. Care interim CEO John Wallace. “We encourage members of our community to get screened and begin a dialogue with friends and relatives who are over 50 years of age about the benefits of getting screened. Together, we can help to eliminate colorectal cancer as a major health problem.”
For more information, visit: www.cancer.org/fightcoloncancer.
About the American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society is a global grassroots force of more than three million volunteers saving lives and fighting for every birthday threatened by every cancer in every community. As the largest voluntary health organization, the Society's efforts have contributed to a 20 percent decline in cancer death rates in the U.S. since 1991. The American Cancer Society believes that success in the fight against cancer is a team effort. Because of our shared commitment to wellness promotion and to improving access to quality health care, the Society partners with health plans on efforts to prevent cancer, detect it early, and improve the quality of life of plan members diagnosed with cancer. For more information, to get help, or to join the fight, call us anytime, day or night, at 1-800-227-2345 or visit cancer.org.