AGA, CDC partner to promote free colonoscopies for uninsured patients

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among men and women nationwide. During National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the American Gastroenterological Association (AGA) are joining forces for the second year to promote free colonoscopies for uninsured patients.

To bring this lifesaving test to patients who would not otherwise have access, gastroenterologists with the AGA are partnering with CDC's Colorectal Cancer Control Programs (CRCCP) throughout March to screen patients in five states.

"Colorectal cancer is largely preventable, through screening. It's important for men and women to get screened, beginning at 50," said Marcus Plescia, MD, MPH, director of CDC's Division of Cancer Prevention and Control. He continued, "Through the Colorectal Cancer Control Program grantees and AGA volunteers, we are able to offer important and life-saving screening to more people. The CDC is proud of its work with the AGA to support and promote colorectal cancer screening."

More than 25 gastroenterologists are coordinating with CRCCP grantees to conduct free colonoscopies throughout March in: Florida, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania and Washington. Health departments in these states work with local primary care providers to identify patients, conduct health assessments, and schedule the eligible patients for appointments for their colonoscopy procedures with AGA members and their support staff providing free services for the event.

In 2012, AGA gastroenterologists, CRCCP programs, and their partners in seven states provided colonoscopies to more than 200 patients. Of the patients screened, approximately half had at least one polyp and a total of 215 polyps were removed. Five patients were diagnosed with cancer and all are received appropriate treatment. Among those involved in implementing the project were gastroenterologists, nurses, patient navigators, local health departments and partner agency employees to name a few.

"All Americans should have access to life-saving colorectal cancer screenings. If caught early, colorectal cancer is very treatable," said Carla H. Ginsburg, MD, MPH, AGAF, chair, AGA Public Affairs & Advocacy Committee. "AGA is honored to be coordinating for the second year with the CDC's CRCCP program and the physicians who are donating their time to screen patients who wouldn't otherwise be checked for colorectal cancer. We encourage all patients over age 50 to talk with their doctor about their colorectal cancer screening options."

There are a number of tests to screen for colorectal cancer. These tests have varying bowel preparation requirements, time intervals and costs. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force guidelines call for regular screening of both men and women for colorectal cancer, starting at age 50 years and continuing until age 75 years, by any of the following three regimens: annual high-sensitivity fecal occult blood testing; sigmoidoscopy every five years combined with high-sensitivity fecal occult blood testing every three years; or screening colonoscopy at intervals of 10 years.