Editorial: Get screened for colon cancer

When former "Today" host Katie Couric had an on-air colonoscopy in March 2000, colon cancer screening rates jumped nationwide by 20 percent. Doctors even dubbed it the "Couric effect." But while the newswoman certainly helped demystify the procedure, she alone couldn't convince everyone to see the doctor.

Indeed, eight years later the American Cancer Society reports that fewer than half of the 89 million Americans who should be getting screened, are. That's one of the reasons why colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the U.S. Only lung cancer claims more lives.

And that's all the more unfortunate, says Dr. Gail Amundson, because colon cancer is one of the few cancers preventable by screening. Indeed, the National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance says colorectal cancer is almost always treatable when found early. Pre-cancerous growths can be detected, too.

Amundson is president and CEO of Quality Quest for Health, a joint effort between Caterpillar and OSF Healthcare System. Besides promoting healthy lifestyles, one of her fledgling organization's primary goals is to improve preventive care throughout central Illinois. Colorectal health makes an apt target. Amundson, an internist and geriatrician, says not enough adults in this area are getting screened.

In fact, despite our reputation as a strong medical center, the Peoria area appears to be doing a lot worse than much of the nation when it comes to catching this killer. Statistics compiled by the Dartmouth Atlas of Health Care show that our region has a much higher rate of colon cancer surgeries among those 65 and older than 300 other U.S. cities. The only places that rank higher are Wichita Falls, Texas; Fargo, N.D.; Dubuque, Iowa; and Altoona, Penn. That's not a good thing. Such surgeries are done because the cancer wasn't found early enough.

So why aren't more people following Couric's lead? Sure, the idea of enduring a colonoscopy can be 'a little sensitive" for some folks, Amundson says, and people may be intimidated by its invasiveness. But recently several leading medical associations endorsed the less-invasive virtual colonoscopy, described as a CT scan of the lower digestive tract. Doctors hope this announcement will boost screenings. Meanwhile, the cancer research alliance says Illinois is one of many states that require health insurers to cover colon screenings and other tests for those at risk. That's a law to take advantage of.

The Tri-County Area can do better. It's notable that local colorectal specialists are in the process of diagnosing themselves, so to speak, by agreeing to track colonoscopy standards in the area. But the docs can't improve their care without patients. People 50 and older - particularly those with certain medical and lifestyle risk factors - should get screened.