In an effort to make colorectal cancer screening more accessible to patients in northwest Montana, the Logan Health Digestive Center has launched a new colonoscopy self-referral option available at logan.org/digestive. Patients can now complete an online questionnaire, which is then reviewed by the team at the Logan Health Digestive Center. Upon review, patients are then contacted by the clinic and eligible patients are scheduled for their procedure.
This new process allows patients to bypass the traditional referral process to the clinic, reducing barriers to care and providing more timely access to colorectal cancer screening — helping prevent delays in a screening that can detect cancer before symptoms appear.
Despite being one of the most preventable forms of cancer, colorectal cancer remains the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. Many of these deaths can be prevented through routine screening, which can identify polyps before they become cancerous or detect cancer at an earlier, more treatable stage.
In 2018, the American Cancer Society lowered the recommended screening age for average-risk adults from 50 to 45 in response to rising colorectal cancer rates among younger adults. While researchers continue to study the causes of this increase, experts believe lifestyle, environmental and other factors may contribute to the trend.
Screening rates among eligible adults remain low — especially amongst younger adults. Research has found that only about one in four adults ages 45 to 49 are up to date on colorectal cancer screening, highlighting the need for increased awareness and access to preventive care.
Colonoscopy is considered the gold standard for colorectal cancer screening. For individuals at average risk with normal results, screening starts at 45 and follow-up is typically recommended once every ten years. Individuals with a family history of colorectal cancer or other risk factors should seek treatment earlier than at 45 years old.
Other risk factors include:
- Family history of colorectal cancer or polyps
- Personal history of polyps or colorectal cancer
- Inflammatory bowel diseases, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
- Inherited genetic syndromes such as Lynch syndrome and familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)
- Type 2 diabetes
- Certain racial or ethnic backgrounds, including African American, American Indian, Alaska Native and Latino populations
To learn more or begin the self-referral process, visit logan.org/digestive.