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Colorectal Cancer Awareness

Some Important Facts You Should Know about Colorectal Cancer!

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer killer in the United States after lung cancer. Colorectal cancer (cancer of the colon or rectum) is second only to lung cancer in causing cancer-related deaths in the U.S. An estimated 146,900 new cases and 56,700 deaths from colorectal cancer are expected in 2004.

More than one-third of colorectal cancer deaths could be avoided if people over 50 had regular screening tests.

Most colorectal cancers begin as polyps. (Polyps are growths on the inner wall of the colon or rectum.)

People who have polyps or colorectal cancer do not always have symptoms, especially at first. Someone could have polyps or colorectal cancer and not know it. Screening tests are so important because they can find colorectal cancer early, when treatment works best. When colorectal cancer is detected in the earliest stage of the disease (Stage 1), the survival rate is greater than 90 percent.

Colorectal cancer is one of the most preventable cancers. Screening tests can help prevent colorectal cancer by finding pre-cancerous polyps so they can be removed before they turn into cancer.

Risk increases as we age. The risk of developing colorectal cancer increases with age. In fact, most cases (92%) occur in people 50 and older.

Both men and women are at risk. Some people think that women are not at risk for colorectal cancer. However, both sexes may develop this cancer.

Medicare helps pay for colorectal cancer screening tests. People with Medicare Part B coverage who are age 50 or older are eligible for colorectal cancer screenings. However, in the case of colonoscopy, there is no age limit. Several different screening tests can be used to test for polyps or colorectal cancer. Each can be used alone. Sometimes they are used in combination with each other. The following screening tests are covered by Medicare:

Covered Medicare Service How Often Covered and What You Pay Description of the Screening Test

Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) or Stool Test Covered once per year. You pay no coinsurance and no Part B deductible. A test you do at home using a test kit you get from your health care provider. You put stool samples on test cards, then return the cards to the doctor or a lab. This test checks for occult (hidden) blood in the stool.

Flexible Sigmoidoscopy (Flex Sig) Covered once every 4 years. You pay 20 percent of the Medicare approved amount after the yearly Part B deductible. A test in which the doctor puts a short, thin, flexible, lighted tube into your rectum. The doctor checks for polyps or cancer in the rectum and lower third of the colon. Sometimes a flexible sigmoidoscopy is used in combination with a Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT).

Colonoscopy High Risk Individuals - If you are at high risk for colorectal cancer, Medicare covers a colonoscopy or a barium enema every 2 years. You pay 20 percent of the Medicare approved amount after the yearly Part B deductible. (Your risk for colorectal cancer may be higher than average if you or a close relative had colorectal polyps or cancer, or if you have inflammatory bowel disease.)

Average Risk Individuals - If you are at average risk (i.e., not at high risk) for colorectal cancer, Medicare will cover a colonoscopy every 10 years. You pay 20 percent of the Medicare approved amount after the yearly Part B deductible. However, if you are at average risk and have had a covered flexible sigmoidoscopy, you must wait 4 years to be eligible for Medicare coverage of a colonoscopy. This test is similar to a flexible sigmoidoscopy, except the doctor uses a longer, thin, flexible, lighted tube to check for polyps or cancer in the rectum and the entire colon. During the test, the doctor can find and remove most polyps and some cancers.

Barium Enema This test can substitute for a flexible sigmoidoscopy or for a colonoscopy. You pay 20 percent of the Medicare approved amount after the yearly Part B deductible. A test in which you are given an enema with a liquid called barium. The doctor takes x-rays of your colon. The barium allows the doctor to see the outline of your colon, to check for polyps or other abnormalities.

Covered Medicare Service	How Often Covered and What You Pay	Description of the Screening Test
Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) or Stool Test	Covered once per year. You pay no coinsurance and no Part B deductible.	A test you do at home using a test kit you get from your health care provider. You put stool samples on test cards, then return the cards to the doctor or a lab. This test checks for occult (hidden) blood in the stool.
Flexible Sigmoidoscopy (Flex Sig)	Covered once every 4 years. You pay 20 percent of the Medicare approved amount after the yearly Part B deductible.	A test in which the doctor puts a short, thin, flexible, lighted tube into your rectum. The doctor checks for polyps or cancer in the rectum and lower third of the colon. Sometimes a flexible sigmoidoscopy is used in combination with a Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT).
Colonoscopy	High Risk Individuals - If you are at high risk for colorectal cancer, Medicare covers a colonoscopy or a barium enema every 2 years. You pay 20 percent of the Medicare approved amount after the yearly Part B deductible. (Your risk for colorectal cancer may be higher than average if you or a close relative had colorectal polyps or cancer, or if you have inflammatory bowel disease.) Average Risk Individuals - If you are at average risk (i.e., not at high risk) for colorectal cancer, Medicare will cover a colonoscopy every 10 years. You pay 20 percent of the Medicare approved amount after the yearly Part B deductible. However, if you are at average risk and have had a covered flexible sigmoidoscopy, you must wait 4 years to be eligible for Medicare coverage of a colonoscopy.	This test is similar to a flexible sigmoidoscopy, except the doctor uses a longer, thin, flexible, lighted tube to check for polyps or cancer in the rectum and the entire colon. During the test, the doctor can find and remove most polyps and some cancers.
Barium Enema	This test can substitute for a flexible sigmoidoscopy or for a colonoscopy. You pay 20 percent of the Medicare approved amount after the yearly Part B deductible.	A test in which you are given an enema with a liquid called barium. The doctor takes x-rays of your colon. The barium allows the doctor to see the outline of your colon, to check for polyps or other abnormalities.