Educate Your Patients

Educate Your Patients

This March, help your patients get back on track post-pandemic

As you know, March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Every year, another group of Americans becomes eligible for their first colonoscopy, especially following the reduced minimum screening age of 45 years old.

We wanted to take a moment to once again encourage all physicians to reinforce and stress the importance of receiving a colonoscopy to your patients. While this month is dedicated to reducing rates of colorectal cancer among our population, informing patients of prevention and receiving appropriate screenings should remain a year-round initiative.

Despite now being multiple years removed from the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic, millions of Americans remain on the patient backlog or have yet to schedule a screening with their physician. Remind patients that colorectal cancer is largely preventable and that taking proper steps to get ahead of any diagnosis greatly increases one’s chances of survival and a positive outcome, especially if they delayed receiving care throughout the years of the pandemic.

As you inform your patients, direct them to the many valuable resources offered by various organizations, such as Colon Cancer Coalition, Fight Colorectal Cancer, the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, and more. These organizations and their websites offer statistics, resources, and links to support groups to assist patients at any step of their journey.

We’d like to also mention the increasing rates of young-onset colorectal cancer in those under the age of 50. This steady increase has been noted in several studies and should certainly be a topic of discussion among physicians and their patients. With proper education and preparation, patients can be well informed on potential risk factors and causes of colorectal cancer, no matter their age.

Genetic modifications, such as Lynch Syndrome, family history, and even factors such as race can lead to increased risk for groups of patients. It is critical that physicians help patients understand and identify these potential factors so they can be best prepared to take appropriate action when scheduling and receiving their colonoscopy.

Lastly, please remember that the colonoscopy is the “Gold Standard” of colorectal cancer prevention. While alternatives may offer ease of use and save a trip to a physician, they fail to be as comprehensive and detailed as a colonoscopy.

As a physician, you play a major part in the health of your patients. We encourage you to take a moment with each patient you meet this March to discuss colorectal cancer prevention and assist those eligible in scheduling their preventative screening.

Editorial Staff

Sison Editor in Chief ssison@pegisolutions.com

Kelly McCormick Digital/Managing Editor kmccormick@pegisolutions.com

Contributing Writers: Lynn Hetzler, Jake Keator, Robert Kurtz, and Rachael Samonski

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