Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the U.S., affecting both men and women of all racial and ethnic groups, and is most common among people aged 50 and older. It is the third most common cancer for men. For women, it is the second most common cancer among Asians and Hispanics, and the third most common cancer among whites, blacks, and American Indians/Alaska Natives.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that if everybody aged 50 or older had regular screening tests, as many as 60 percent of deaths from colorectal cancer could be prevented.* Colorectal cancer screening can find abnormal growths in the colon or rectum so that they can be removed before turning into cancer. Screening also helps find colorectal cancer at an early stage, when treatment often leads to a cure. If you are aged 50 or older, talk to your doctor about getting screened. See risk factors.
*Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Colorectal (Colon) Cancer. Available at: www.cdc.gov. Accessed December 18, 2009.
Medicare covers the following preventive services for colorectal cancer:
Toolkits
Resources for Medicare Beneficiaries
Resources for Healthcare Providers
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How to Increase Colorectal Cancer Screening Rates in Practice
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See Appendix D for primary care staff resources (phone scripts, reminder letters and postcards, preventive service schedules, audit and tracking sheets, and patient education resources)
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Web-based Resources
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American Cancer Society (ACS) – All About Colon and Rectal Cancer
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American Cancer Society - Colorectal Cancer Screening Resource Kit
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Colorectal Cancer
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Medicare Colon Cancer Screening (Colorectal) Preventive Services Overview
