WVU Medicine Princeton Community Hospital is joining the WVU Cancer Institute, the West Virginia Mountains of Hope State Cancer Coalition, and WVU Medicine to promote the month-long Colorectal Cancer Awareness campaign, which kicked off March 1 with Dress in Blue Day, to raise awareness about the importance of colorectal cancer screening.
Even though it is one of the most preventable cancers, colorectal cancer is the fourth most diagnosed cancer among West Virginians and the third most diagnosed cancer nationally. Between 2016-2020, an average of 1,103 West Virginians were diagnosed with colorectal cancer, and more than 400 died from the disease each year.
The lifetime risk of developing colorectal cancer is about 1 in 23 for men and 1 in 25 for women.
“Colorectal cancer is one of the most preventable cancers and screening is key to early detection and treatment,” said Khristy Shrewsbury, director of outpatient cancer services at PCH. “There are options for screening such a stool-based test which can be given to patients at their physician’s office, and we supply these yearly through health fairs.
“Patients that have a family history of colorectal cancer, smokers, and those with inflammatory bowel diseases and specific genetic syndromes are at higher risk and need to see their physician yearly to discuss appropriate testing. All average risk patients screening should start at age 45,” Shrewsbury said.
Approximately one out of three people are not being screened for colorectal cancer. Completing on-time screening is important to saving lives. More than 90% of colorectal cancer cases in West Virginia occurred in individuals over the age of 50. Additionally, more than half (56%) of these colorectal cancers were diagnosed as late-stage. Completing colorectal cancer screening, starting at age 45 and continuing through 75, can significantly improve health outcomes. Screening can find polyps and remove them before they turn into cancer. When colorectal cancer is detected early through screening, 87% of West Virginians are alive five years after diagnosis.
Individuals should talk with their healthcare provider about the colorectal cancer screening test that is right for them. Universal coverage of colorectal cancer screening at age 45 is now offered by most health plans.
