Colorectal Cancer Screening

Colorectal Cancer

According to the NYS Department of Health, colorectal cancer is the second highest cancer diagnosis for city of Rochester residents behind only lung cancer among men and women with an average of 95 people diagnosed per year.

Colorectal Cancer remains the second leading cause of cancer mortality, causing 60,000 deaths annually among all men and women in the United States and is the leading cause of cancer death among people under 50 in the country. 

It is estimated that as many as 60% of colorectal deaths could be prevented if all men and women aged 50 years or older were screened routinely.

Clear racial/ethnic disparities in the incidence of colorectal cancer, stage at diagnosis, and mortality have been seen in recent program data provided by the Cancer Statistics Explorer Network.

Age-adjusted incidence and mortality from colorectal cancer are highest for African Americans and third highest for Hispanics.  Data shows that less than 21% of African American men and women and less than 24% of Latino men and women receive early diagnosis of colon cancer through early screening services.   

Factors associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer include older age, male sex, family history of colon or rectal cancer, history of colorectal polyp, inflammatory bowel disease, obesity, physical inactivity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, alcohol consumption, smoking, and consuming a diet high in red and processed meat.

Mistrust in the health care system has been a major factor in the health disparities in communities of color and is deeply rooted in a traumatic history that saw populations from communities of color used as unwitting test subjects in medical research. Add in individual experiences stemming from negative interactions with health facilities -- it all can become too much to find a level of comfort for African American and Latino populations to take part in routine cancer screenings and self-health advocacy.

Over 45?

It's Time to Get Screened for Colorectal Cancer

Cancer Support Community distributes free Rapid Test colorectal screening kits in the community.

These are non-invasive testing kits that provide a result in five minutes. 

To receive a free test kit, call (585) 423-9700.

View the kit video