Study: Colorectal Cancer Screening Rates Increasing

El Paso, TX (AHN) - U.S. health officials reported that in 2006, older American getting colon cancer tests move up to 61 percent from 57 percent in 2004.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that although the increase is encouraging, disparities persist in colorectal cancer test use. The rates stay lower for minorities than for whites.

The American Cancer Society recommends that at age 50, people who do not have high risk of developing colon cancer needs to undergo colon cancer screening, those who are at high risk needs to undergo screening earlier.

Colorectal cancer, also called colon cancer or large bowel cancer includes cancerous growths in the colon, rectum and appendix. It is the third most common form of cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related death in the Western world.

"Colon cancer is one of only a few cancers that can be prevented through screening," said Maria Ruiz, ACS community manager for communications. "Precancerous polyps, from which colon cancer often develops, can be identified and removed before they become cancerous."

To catch the cancer early when it is more treatable, the CDC recommends yearly fecal occult blood test, colonoscopy every 10 years, flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years and double-contrast barium enema every 5 years.

In 2006, 63 percent of whites got recommended tests, 59 percent for blacks and 56 percent for Asians. Fewer than half of Hispanics were screened.