Colorectal Cancer Screening

Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States. The National Cancer Institute estimates that 152,810 people in the United States received a diagnosis of colon or rectal cancer in 2024, of which 53,010 died. It is the fourth most common cancer diagnosed in the United States.

The five-year relative survival rate for cancer localized to the colon or rectum is 65 percent, according to the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program. The survival rate drops significantly as the cancer spreads beyond those organs.

Cancer of the colon or rectum is more common in men than women. It is also more common among African Americans than people of other races. The median age of diagnosis in the United States is 66 years, while about 78 percent of newly diagnosed patients are aged 55 and older.

Regular screening, beginning at age 45, is key to preventing colorectal cancer. All beneficiaries between ages 45 to 75 years old should get screened regularly. This cancer does not always cause symptoms, elevating the importance of regular screenings.

Many cases of cancer of the colon or rectum are preventable. Screening by colonoscopy can prevent this cancer because precancerous polyps found during the procedure can be removed at the same time. Furthermore, colonoscopy can also detect the cancer at early stages, when treatment is more likely to be successful.

Check Medicare Preventive Services to see what screening tools are covered for you to better care for your patients or reach out to Palmetto GBA for any further assistance. 

Resources

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Colorectal Cancer Awareness 
• CMS.gov MLN Medicare Preventive Services 
• CMS.gov MLN Matters Expansion of Coverage of Colorectal Cancer Screening (PDF) 
• National Cancer Institute Cancer Stat Facts: Colorectal Cancer
• National Coverage Determination (NCD) Colorectal Cancer Screening Tests 210.3