CLEVELAND, Jan 10, 2005 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- A U.S.
study found only 44 percent of colon cancer patients had undergone any type of
screening procedure at least six months before their diagnosis.
Researchers from University Hospitals of Cleveland and Case Western Reserve
University also said 94 percent of colorectal cancer patients had never had a
colonoscopy or had never had one prior to the procedure that resulted in their
cancer diagnosis.
The study, which included more than 5,800 elderly colon cancer patients, is
published in the Feb. 15 edition of Cancer, a journal of the American Cancer
Society.
Colon cancer screening is recommended for all older adults and researchers
believe death rates are reduced when premalignant growths -- such as polyps --
are detected and removed during a routine screening colonoscopy.
Other less comprehensive colon cancer tests include the fecal occult blood
test, a sigmoidoscopy and barium enema.
"We have highlighted the underuse of colorectal procedures in clinical
practice, which is relevant given the high incidence and mortality of colorectal
carcinoma in the United States," the authors wrote.
