Colonoscopies are essential because they actually prevent colon cancer! And although the American Cancer Society and the National Cancer Institute recommend colonoscopies for everyone starting at age 50, and for those at high risk even younger, there is no Federal legislation requiring health insurers to cover this procedure for anyone. If you are on Medicare and 65 and older, you are covered, otherwise, not necessarily. As documented by EIF in their Colorectal Cancer Legislative Report Card, half the states in the country do not require coverage by law. And it’s been proven that when covered, more people will get screened which in turn decreases incidence of the disease. New York State is one of the states that DOES NOT require this of insurers. What you can do is take action and visit the Colorectal Cancer Coalition’s (C3) CoverYourButt.org which monitors Congress and lobbies for a Federal law.
Get Screened Now!
So another question is why did I get colon cancer. Genetic predisposition or not, why did I get it? Or, how did it happen? Well, I would say that it was because I wasn’t screened. My advice to everyone is to GET SCREENED NOW before it is too late for you as it almost was for me! Standard screening doesn’t start until you turn 50 if you are considered of average risk. So if you are 50 or over and you haven’t been screened, what are you waiting for? Death?! If you are under 50, like me, YOU (not your doctor or anyone else) need to find a way to get yourself screened - now.
Screening is done on those who appear to be healthy. You do not have to be sick to be screened. It is a preventative measure. Colon caner is almost 100% preventable if you are screened. By the time you show symptoms it’s too late, already you have it. more…
