Washington, D.C.
– Congressman Donald M. Payne, Jr. (NJ-10) joined dozens of groups
at the National Press Club in Washington, DC this afternoon, that are
dedicated to eliminating colorectal cancer as a major public health
problem. Payne and the groups launched an effort to increase the
nation’s colorectal cancer screening rate to 80 percent
by the year 2018. Colorectal cancer screening is proven to save lives, and new data from the American Cancer Society show
that investing in colorectal cancer screening efforts is paying off.
“Witnessing
my father’s heartbreaking battle with this sometimes fatal, yet
preventable and treatable cancer, it became my mission to join all of
you here today to
raise awareness about the importance of colorectal cancer screening and
early detection,”
said Rep. Payne, Jr.
“So I am proud to endorse the 80 Percent By 2018 Initiative and pledge
to do all that I can do in my capacity to help achieve this lofty but
important goal
to prevent and eliminate this dreaded disease.”
New
American Cancer Society data released at today’s event finds colon
cancer incidence rates have dropped 30 percent in the U.S. in the last
10 years among adults 50
and older due to the widespread increase in colonoscopies. The study,
appearing early online in the American Cancer Society’s
CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, finds the largest decrease
has occurred in people over age 65, with the decline accelerating from
3.6 percent per year during 2001-2008 to 7.2 percent per year during
2008-2010. The larger declines among these Medicare-eligible
seniors likely reflect higher rates of screening because of universal
insurance coverage. Colonoscopy use has almost tripled among adults ages
50 to 75, from 19 percent in 2000 to 55 percent in 2010.
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