3 minute read
YOUNG-ONSET COLORECTAL CANCER
The Prevent Cancer Foundation recently issued a report to address the growing number of colorectal cancer cases in people under 50. The report, Gut Check: YoungOnset Colorectal Cancer in Your State, is a resource for members of Congress to raise awareness of young-onset colorectal cancer cases among their constituents. The report provides information about coverage mandates for screenings and the guidelines states use to develop insurance coverage requirements. Members of Congress can use its strategies to increase access to coverage in their states.
Advertisement
Tim Kavanagh, a comedian and auctioneer, shared his experience with young-onset colorectal cancer. He was diagnosed at age 50 with stage 2 rectal cancer after a routine colonoscopy.
Mr. Kavanagh said, “I thought
I was doing the right thing by having the procedure on time, but it was already too late.”
Had Mr. Kavanagh been able to begin screening earlier, he could have caught his cancer at an earlier stage or prevented it completely. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), which determines coverage requirements for insurers under the Affordable Care Act, maintains routine screenings for those at average risk begin at age 50. But, after a consistent increase in young-onset cases since 1994, the American Cancer Society recently changed its guidelines to recommend screening at age 45 for those at average risk.
The report serves as a call to action for Congress to use their influence and platforms and urge the USPSTF to lower its recommended screening age to 45, which could save thousands of lives each year. By working with Congress, we hope the USPSTF will hear our call and enable patients to access the colorectal cancer screenings they need.
NOTE: Gut Check: Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer in Your State was created before the release of new draft guidelines on colorectal cancer screening from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force in October 2020. At press time, the draft recommendations had not yet been finalized. The Gut Check report is currently being revised—visit www.preventcancer.org for an updated version.
Too Young for This Sh*t: Patrick’s Story
In September 2017, just one month after getting married to his wife, Amanda, and returning from their honeymoon, Patrick Beauregard was diagnosed with stage 4 colorectal cancer.
The diagnosis had been a surprise to Patrick, who was 29 and healthy, and to all who knew him. “Cancer, at that point, was the last thing on my mind,” he had said.
Patrick was part of a growing trend of Americans under the age of 50 who have been diagnosed with colorectal cancer. That’s why the Prevent Cancer Foundation is telling young people across the U.S.: You may think you’re Too Young for This Sh*t, but colorectal cancer is on the rise in younger adults.
The Foundation is spreading the word about signs and symptoms of the disease, how to be your own best advocate for your health, and the steps to take—at any age—to reduce your risk of colorectal cancer.
After several years of advocating with the Prevent Cancer Foundation and other organizations on young-onset colorectal cancer, Patrick died of the disease in September 2020, at age 32. The Foundation is committed to continuing our work on young-onset colorectal cancer in Patrick’s memory.
You can learn more about Patrick’s story and the Too Young for This Sh*t campaign at www.tooyoungforthis.org.
