“Colon cancer is the second most common cause of cancer related death and the really unique thing is that it’s largely preventable,” says Dr. Fola May, assistant professor of medicine and physician-scientist. “You’d think people would take advantage of screening modalities to catch it early, but only 60% of the population participated in screenings, despite numerous guidelines recommending that every American man and woman over the age of 50 get screened. In studying colon cancer we found that African Americans are more likely to get colon cancer and are more likely to die from the disease; yet, despite this, they are less likely to be screened. We also know that while Hispanic Americans do not have the highest rates of colon caner, they have the very lowest screening rates. Part of our research studies are looking at why people don’t have the message to get screened, and how to help providers spread that message to their patients to make sure their patients participate in screening. The colonoscopy is a great test, but there are also many different methods to screen. The most important message I like to spread is to get screened.”

Tags: Cancer, cancer, colon cancer, colonoscopy, colorectal cancer screening, Dr. Fola May, featured, Research