Kaniksu joins colorectal screening drive

Kaniksu Health Services has made the pledge to help increase colorectal cancer screening rates by supporting the “80% by 2018” initiative, led by the American Cancer Society, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable, a coalition co-founded by ACS and CDC.

Colorectal cancer is the nation’s second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S. when men and women are combined; however, it is one of only a few cancers that can be prevented. Through colorectal cancer screening, doctors can find and remove hidden growths (called “polyps”) in the colon, before they become cancerous. Removing polyps can prevent cancer.

“80% by 2018” is a national Colorectal Cancer Roundtable initiative in which hundreds of organizations have committed to substantially reducing colorectal cancer as a major public health problem and are working toward the shared goal of 80% of adults aged 50 and older being regularly screened for colorectal cancer by 2018. Leading public health organizations, such as NCCRT, CDC and the ACS are rallying organizations to embrace this shared goal. If we can achieve 80 percent by 2018, 277,000 cases and 203,000 colorectal cancer deaths would be prevented by 2030.

“Colon cancer is a major public health problem, and adults age 50 and older should be regularly screened for it, but we have found that many people aren’t getting screened because they don’t believe they are at risk, don’t understand that there are test options or don’t think they can afford it,” said Kris Kuper, M.D., KHS Chief Medical Officer. “The truth is that simply aging puts you at greater risk for colon cancer. Colorectal cancer in its early stages usually has no symptoms, so most everyone 50 and older should get screened. There are several screening options – even take-home options – available. Plus, many public and private insurance plans cover colorectal cancer screening and there may be local resources available to help those that are uninsured.”

While colorectal cancer incidence rates have dropped in the U.S. among adults 50 and older, it is still the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States, despite being highly preventable, detectable and treatable. In fact, it is estimated that in 2017, 134,490 cases of colorectal cancer will be diagnosed. Part of the 80% by 2018 goal is to leverage the energy of multiple and diverse partners to empower communities, patients and providers to increase screening rates. The 80% by 2018 initiative consists of health care providers, health systems, communities, businesses, community health centers, government, non-profit organizations and patient advocacy groups, among others, who are committed to getting more people screened for colorectal cancer to prevent more cancers and save lives.

“We are thrilled to join the cause to improve colon cancer screening rates,” said Olivia Luther Morlen, KHS director of community relations. “We are asking all members of our community to come together and help us by getting screened and talking to your friends and family who are over 50 years of age about getting screened. Together, we can help make colon cancer a major public health success story.”

For more information or to learn about resources in the area, go online to kaniksuhealthservices.org. For more information about colorectal cancer screening, go online to cancer.org/colon or contact the American Cancer Society at 1-800-227-2345. For more information about the “80% by 2018” initiative, visit www.nccrt.org.

Kaniksu Health Services is a non-profit, federally qualified community health center that provides high quality, comprehensive and affordable medical, pediatric, dental, behavioral health and veteran care. Clinics are located in Bonner and Boundary counties: Kaniksu Bonners Ferry, Kaniksu Ponderay, Kaniksu Priest River, Kaniksu Sandpoint Pediatrics, and Sandpoint Veterans Clinic.