By Raja S. Cheruvu
Updated: 04/16/09 9:39 AM
Colon cancer screening, an essential tool for preventing cancer deaths and saving lives, is under-utilized by Americans across the board. Most people do not recognize that colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of death from cancer in the United States, taking the lives of 10,060 people in the state of New York alone last year. The need for colon cancer prevention and detection is critical.
Fortunately, there are new screening methods available that could increase screening levels, which are sadly less than 50 percent for people over age 50, and fall even lower for those 65 years and older. Recent advances in medical technology have produced a virtual colon cancer testing procedure that is minimally invasive, requires no sedation, is quick and very safe — four key points that make this testing method much more appealing to seniors.
However, last month, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced that it would not pay for Medicare beneficiaries to receive a virtual colonoscopy.
As a medical professional who is routinely encouraging my patients to take advantage of preventative medicine, I was extremely disappointed......
Raja S. Cheruvu: Medicare denial risks deaths from colorectal cancer : Opinion : The Buffalo News
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