33% of Americans Skip Life-Saving Test

Approximately one in three US adults between the ages of 50 and 75 who should be screened for colorectal cancer have not been, according to the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.

The society continues to remind older adults about the benefits of a colonoscopy exam to screen for colorectal cancer, which is largely preventable, while offering tips on getting screened.

"Colorectal cancer is one of the most preventable cancers because the majority of colorectal cancers arise from precancerous growths in the colon called polyps, which can be found during a colonoscopy screening exam and removed before they turn into cancer," said Gregory Ginsberg, MD, president of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE).

How Often Should You Be Tested

ASGE experts say everyone should be screened starting at age 50, and repeat the screening once a decade thereafter if the initial test results come back normal.

Those with a family history of colorectal cancer should get screened starting at age 40. Other high-risk groups, such as African Americans and those with inflammatory bowel disease, should discuss getting screened sooner with their doctors.

Before the screening, it is important to follow pre-colonoscopy instructions carefully to ensure the colon is thoroughly cleaned so no polyps or cancers are missed during the procedure, Dr. Ginsberg said.

Studies suggest that not following the pre-screening guidelines results in more missed polyps.

Say Yes to Post-Op Chemo

Do you need chemotherapy after gastric-cancer surgery? You may, according to recent research. A meta-analysis of data from 17 randomized trials found that patients who received postoperative chemotherapy survived longer than patients treated with surgery alone. The right decision on chemotherapy and whether it should be started before or after surgery, as well as on the surgery itself, should be made by an interdisciplinary team including a medical oncologist, a surgeon and a radiation oncologist.