March Is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month!

Some Important Facts You Should Know about Colorectal Cancer

• Colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer killer in the United States after lung cancer.  Colorectal cancer (cancer of the colon or rectum) is second only to lung cancer in causing cancer-related deaths in the U.S.  The American Cancer Society estimates that there will be 147,500 new cases and 57,100 deaths from colorectal cancer in 2003.

• More than one-third of colorectal cancer deaths could be avoided if people over 50 had regular screening tests.

• Most colorectal cancers begin as polyps.  (Polyps are growths on the inner wall of the colon or rectum.)

• Colorectal cancer starts with no symptoms.  Screening tests are so important because they can find colorectal cancer early, when treatment works best.  When colorectal cancer is detected in the earliest stage of the disease (Stage 1), the survival rate is about 90 percent.

• Colorectal cancer is one of the most preventable cancers.  Screening tests can help prevent colorectal cancer by finding pre-cancerous polyps so they can be removed before they turn into cancer. 

• Risk increases as we age.  The risk of developing colorectal cancer increases with age.  In fact, most cases (90%) occur in people 50 and older.

• Both men and women are at risk.  Some people think that women are not at risk for colorectal cancer.  However, both sexes may develop this cancer.

• Medicare helps pay for colorectal cancer screening tests.  People with Medicare Part B coverage who are age 50 or older are eligible for colorectal cancer screenings.  However, in the case of colonoscopy, there is no age limit.  The following screening tests are covered by Medicare:

-		Fecal Occult Blood Test (done at home) – Covered once per year.  You pay no coinsurance and no Part B deductible.
-		Flexible Sigmoidoscopy* – Covered once every 4 years.  You pay 20 percent of the Medicare approved amount after the yearly Part B deductible.
-		Colonoscopy*

High Risk Individuals –  If you are at high risk for colorectal cancer, Medicare covers a colonoscopy or a barium enema every 2 years.  You pay 20 percent of the Medicare approved amount after the yearly Part B deductible.  (Your risk is greater if you have a history of inflammatory bowel disease, colorectal cancer, or polyps, and if you have a family history of colorectal cancer or polyps, or have certain hereditary syndromes.)

Average Risk Individuals – If you are at average risk (i.e., not at high risk) for colorectal cancer, Medicare will cover a colonoscopy every 10 years.  You pay 20 percent of the Medicare approved amount after the yearly Part B deductible.  However, if you are at average risk and have had a covered flexible sigmoidoscopy, you must wait 4 years to be eligible for Medicare coverage of a colonoscopy.

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Barium Enema – This test can substitute for a flexible sigmoidoscopy or for a colonoscopy.  You pay 20 percent of the Medicare approved amount after the yearly Part B deductible.

 

*If colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy is done in an ambulatory surgical center or hospital outpatient department, you pay 25 percent of the Medicare approved amount.

 

Steps You Can Take Now to Protect Your Health

• If you are 50 years old and have not been screened, talk to your doctor about having a screening test for colorectal cancer.  Discuss the screening options that are right for you.  Do not wait for symptoms.

• If you have any of the following symptoms, discuss them with your doctor.  Only he or she can determine if cancer or other conditions are causing the symptoms.  The symptoms are:

-		Blood in or on the stool,
-		A change in bowel habits,
-		Stools that are narrower than usual,
-		General stomach discomfort,
-		Frequent gas pains, and
-		Unexplained weight loss.
	Visit the Federal Government’s Screen for Life Web site at: www.cdc.gov/cancer/ScreenforLife for more information about colorectal cancer screening tests.

• Call the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) at 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY/TDD: 1-877-486-2048) to order a helpful fact sheet called Colorectal Cancer Basic Facts on Screening.  Ask for CMS Publication No. 11011.  You also can order the fact sheet from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  (CDC) by calling their toll-free line at 1-888-842-6355.  Ask for CDC Publication No. 996949.  The fact sheet has important information about colorectal cancer and describes the screening tests.

• Call the National Cancer Institute’s Cancer Information Service at 1-800-4-CANCER (TTY 1-800-332-9615) for more information about colorectal cancer or any other cancer.

• When you visit the doctor, keep the following tips in mind so that you get the most from your visit.

-		Do not feel uncomfortable about asking questions.  Bring a list of questions with you, and have it handy when you talk to the doctor.
-		Ask about colorectal cancer screening, even if your doctor does not mention it.
-		If you do not understand everything your doctor tells you, let him or her know.
-		Bring a notepad and write down notes to help you remember important points.
-		Ask your doctor for materials on colorectal cancer and other topics that you can read after you leave the office.

 

Posted: 03/05/2003