How can we improve patient education resources for colorectal cancer screening?

摘要

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of death by cancer in the United States. CRC is one of the easiest cancers to treat when detected early, yet more than a third of patients diagnosed with colon cancer every year die prematurely [l]. CDC estimates that 10,000 additional deaths could be prevented each year if all adults aged >50 years receive recommended CRC screening [2]. Currently, the CRC screening rates are estimated to be 65%, which are a long way off from the American Cancer Society's goal of 75% by 2015. Even this goal appears questionable now. It is interesting to note that the awareness of people for CRC screening lags significantly behind two other cancers with screening programs — breast cancer and cervical cancer.