Volunteers in Medicine Encourages Patients to Get Screened for Colon Cancer!
Colon cancer has found its way into the headlines as of late. In 2020, it took the life of acclaimed actor Chadwick Boseman, at the age of 43. This year, it caused the death of a well-regarded ESPN reporter, 44-year-old Jeff Dickerson, orphaning his son.
In 2020, 156 Duval County residents lost their lives to colon cancer. And yet, according to the most recent measure by the Florida Department of Health, only 70.8% of Duval County adults aged 50 to 75 had a colorectal screening based on the most recent clinical guidelines.
More and more young people are becoming victims of this illness, making it even more important for those 45 and older to talk to their doctor about colorectal cancer screening. Unfortunately, there are still many who do not have access to a doctor, much less a screening. The CDC released research last year concluding that, “Uninsured patients had a high prevalence of colorectal cancer risk factors but a low reported screening rate.”
“That is a real tragedy,” states Jennifer Ryan, Volunteers in Medicine Jacksonville CEO. “Colon cancer is just so curable when detected early.”
Volunteers in Medicine helps low-income working uninsured individuals get free colon cancer screenings in partnership with multiple agencies based on a patient’s risk. They say that access to these screenings is important now more than ever because many people have delayed screenings during the pandemic.
“These screenings are available to almost all insured people but are not nearly as available to the uninsured,” says Ryan. “When it comes to something as serious as colon cancer, there should not be one group of people that can access a screening and one group of people that cannot.”
Ryan encourages everyone 45 and older to speak with their doctor about getting screened for colorectal cancer. For those without insurance, she hopes that everyone who qualifies for services with Volunteers in Medicine will apply so that those who need colon cancer screening can get it.
