Jul 14, 2008 3:48 pm US/Pacific
Good News And Bad News Concerning Colon Cancer
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
There's good news and bad news in the fight against colon cancer. The good news: the percentage of people getting screened for the disease is on the rise. The bad news: the number is still far away from what doctors want. Doctor Mallika Marshall has the story.
Dan Foster believes a common cancer test saved his life.
"I don't know if I'd be here today," says Dan.
The test was a colonoscopy and in 1996 it discovered colorectal cancer at an early stage.
"After I was diagnosed I had to have radiation. I had approximately 30 treatments of radiation," explained Dan.
Screening made Dan's story possible and a new government report shows more Americans are being tested. Since 2000 the number of men and women getting regular colonoscopies has gone up seven percent.
"It's just unfortunate it's not higher," says Dr. Stephen Malamud.
Even with the increase only half the people who should be getting screened – are. Men and women need to start having annual colonoscopies at the age of 50 and those with a family history may have to start earlier.
The test detects polyps and Beth Israel's Doctor Stephen Malamud says removing those polyps early can stop cancer before it starts.
"We know that the whole history of colorectal cancer begins with a benign polyp and that polyp has the potential – 1 in a hundred or so can actually develop into a malignancy," says Dr. Malamud.
Dan is sharing his story for one reason.
"Right now I'm going to be a 12 year survivor," says Dan. "Well I realize how lucky I am so I want to have somebody else have that same second chance that I have."
A second chance that can only come if people first get an annual colonoscopy.
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