Most adults are getting recommended breast and colon cancer screenings. Yet more than 22 million adults have not had screening tests for colon cancer, and more than 7 million women have not had a recent mammogram to screen for breast cancer as recommended, according to reports released today by the Center for Disease Control (CDC).
The CDC said that:
Colon Cancer
- Screening tests can find colon cancer. Colon cancer screening tests can find precancerous polyps so they can be removed before they turn into cancer, thus preventing the disease. Screening tests can also find colon cancer early, when treatment works best.
- About a third of people are not getting screened as recommended. This could be because they don’t know they can get colon cancer, they don’t have insurance or a doctor, or their doctor hasn’t recommended screening.
Breast Cancer
- Mammograms save lives. The best way to find breast cancer is by having a mammogram (an X-ray of the breasts). Mammograms can find breast cancer early, before it is big enough to feel or cause symptoms and when it is easier to treat.
- Some women are not getting mammograms as recommended. About one of five women between the ages of 50 and 74 has not had a mammogram in the past two years. This may be because their doctor didn’t tell them to get one, they don’t have insurance and can’t afford one, or they don’t think mammograms work.
The CDC recommends that:
- Health departments can find out why some groups of people are not being screened, and create programs to solve these problems and increase screening.
- Doctors and other health care providers can tell patients who should be screened about test options, make sure patients who can’t afford tests know about free screening services in their area, and remind patients when a screening test is due.
- People can ask their doctor about getting screened, get screened as recommended, and see their doctor promptly if a screening test shows there might be a problem.
For more information, read the reports:
