The newly released report includes data from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the American Cancer Society (ACS), and the North American Association of Central Cancer Registries (NAACCR). The data shows a 3 percent decrease in new colon and rectal cancer cases in men and a 2.2 percent decrease in women. Deaths from colon and rectal cancers dropped 3.9 percent in men and 3.4 percent in women.

Using modeling projections of colorectal cancer rates, authors of the report say that with accelerated cancer control efforts in the United States, such as quitting smoking and having regular colonoscopies, as well as more effective chemotherapy treatments for the disease, overall deaths from colorectal cancers could be reduced by 50 percent by 2020.

“This report shows that we have begun to make progress reducing colorectal cancer. Yet, colorectal cancer still kills more people than any other cancer except lung cancer,” said CDC Director Thomas Frieden, M.D. “Reducing smoking further can bring lung and other cancer rates down, and improved colorectal cancer screening can prevent colorectal cancer.”

SOURCE: Fleet Attorney › NCI report: new cases of colon, rectal cancer deaths declining

Patients were referred to GIA by the InterFaith Health Clinic and The Free Medical Clinic of America, both Knoxville-based organizations that provide health care to the needy. More than half of the people screened had polyps removed. Of the 48 persons screened Saturday, a total of 25 had polyps removed and sent for testing, 16 women and nine men. Twenty-three had no polyps, 15 women and eight men. Polyps, which are typically benign, may contain a small area of cancer or develop into cancer if not removed.

Colon cancer is the second most deadly cancer. “This is a higher percentage than in the population as a whole,” said Dr. Bergein F. (Gene) Overholt of GIA. “This is a big step in the battle against colon cancer. It was a real privilege to serve this group of people.”

Overholt called on other U.S. gastrointestinal practices to replicate “GIA Screening Colonoscopy Day” to help those less fortunate and to make everyone aware of the need for colon screenings. “The national health care debate has focused attention on the role of physicians and other health care professionals,” he said. “I think this can be a great demonstration of the concern medical professionals have for the well-being of their patients.”

Other screening sponsors include Anesthesia Associates of Knoxville, Mercy Health Partners, Premier Surgical Associates, The Endoscopy Center, GI Pathology of Memphis, Boston Scientific, Interactive Optics, the American Cancer Society and Braintree Laboratories Inc.

SOURCE: Fleet Attorney › GI clinic gives free colonoscopies to the needy