Colorectal Cancer Screening Saves Lives, But Testing Is Low

news Colorectal Cancer Screening Saves Lives, But Testing Is Low (NAPSA)—If everyone aged 50 or older were screened regularly for colorectal cancer (cancer of the colon or rectum), at least onethird of deaths from this disease could be avoided. Yet, a new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) finds the number of people tested remains low. al uta x, ud esl Be Doctors recommend that adults over age 50 get tested for colorectal cancer. Medical experts recommend screening routinely beginning at age 50, but nearly half of Americans aged 50 or older were not tested within recommendedscreening periods. Colorectal cancer is the nation’s second leading cancerkiller even though it is largely preventable through screening. To encourage screening for colorectal cancer, CDC and the Cen- ters for Medicare & Medicaid Services created Screen for Life: National Colorectal Cancer Action Campaign. Medicare and most insurance plans help pay for screening tests. To learn more, visit www.cdc. gov/cancer/screenforlife, or call 1-800-422-6237 or 1-800633-4227.