Learning that a friend has colon cancer is tough. But it’s even tougher when that friend
was only in her 40’s. The news came as a shock to everyone around her, especially
devastating to her husband and two young sons. She battled bravely with everything
she had. She even “rang the bell” a few years ago, when the doctors thought she was
cancer free. But the cancer came back, more determined than ever. Tragically, it took
her from us and her young sons far too soon. Losing her showed me firsthand just how
ruthless and unfair colon cancer can be. I have made getting colon screenings a
personal priority in my life, a commitment I hope to inspire in others, too.
It's no surprise that early detection of cancer can lead to drastically better outcomes,
oftentimes being the difference between life and death. What is surprising is the number
of Americans behind on their recommended cancer screenings; a 2025 survey by the
American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network found that over 31 percent of adults
over age 45 have been more than one year behind on cancer screenings. And in
aggressive cancers like colorectal, more than 75
percent of individuals who lose their
lives to the disease were not current with recommended screenings.
In Nevada alone, the American Cancer Society
predicts there will be 1,480 new
colorectal cancer (CRC) cases and nearly 520 Nevadans will die of the disease this
year. CRC is now the second leading cause of cancer deaths in our state and is the
leading cause of cancer deaths among men under 50. What’s more disheartening is
despite CRC's lead in cancer-related deaths, it’s actually one of the most treatable
cancers when caught early, with a 91 percent five-year survival rate
for patients with
early-stage, localized CRC.
When it comes to CRC, there is an urgent need to close the screening adherence gap
and the potential to save millions of lives in doing so. Perceived inconveniences like the
special preparation, dietary changes, time and discomfort associated with colonoscopy,
and the unpleasantness of handling stool for stool-based tests, have left over 50 million
Americans behind on their recommended CRC screenings. But it’s important to
remember that preventative screening is far less disruptive than facing the challenges of
a late-stage cancer diagnosis.
The reality is cancer screening doesn’t have to be as difficult as it might seem. New,
less invasive screening tools like the Shield
test, the first blood test approved by the
FDA as a primary screening option for colorectal cancer, offer more convenient
alternatives for patients. Just recently approved last summer, the test is already covered
by Medicare and VA Community Care, underscoring its potential to expand screening
accessibility for millions of Americans. By fostering a more open dialogue about CRC
screening recommendations and the options available, we can help to break down the
traditional barriers to routine screenings.
My hope is to help others avoid the pain and tragedy of colorectal cancer – and all types
of cancer for that matter – have caused me and many alike by encouraging everyone to
stay up to date with cancer screenings. You can find the most up to date cancer
screening guidelines at cancer.org or by talking with your provider about your risk.
Closing the gap in cancer screening and reducing cancer deaths is within our
reach—and early detection could save your life or the life of someone you love.
Randi Thompson is a public relations consultant in Reno.
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