New Screening Guidelines for Colorectal Cancer
The American Cancer Society and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) in May of this year updated the guidelines for colon cancer screenings recommending that all men and women (with average risk of colon cancer) begin screening at age 45 (instead of 50), using tests such as:
- Colonoscopy
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy
- CT colonography
- Stool test
- As well as other colon cancer tests.
According to the American Cancer Society, colon cancer, or colorectal cancer, is the third most frequently diagnosed cancer in the U.S. and the second leading cause of cancer death
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| Source: American Cancer Society |
The rates of the incidence of colon cancer and death from colon cancer have declined in recent years due to increased use of colon cancer screenings to detect and remove precancerous polyps. That's the good news.
The bad news: While the overall incidence of the disease is down, the rates of colon cancer in younger populations is increasing. Colorectal cancer is predicted to become the top leading cause of cancer death in people aged 20 to 49 by the year 2030, according to reporting by Good Morning America.
Colorectal Cancer and Black Americans
Black Americans are at an even greater risk for colon cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, and reported in STAT News,
"Black men are 24% more likely to develop the disease and 47% more likely to die from it than white men. Black women are 19% more likely than their white counterparts to develop it and have a 34% higher rate of dying from it."
Colon Cancer Medical Malpractice Lawsuits
When a physician fails to screen for colon cancer based on symptoms, or fails to screen for colon cancer based on recommended guidelines, and there is a delay in the diagnosis of colon cancer, the patient may have a medical malpractice claim. Investigating the circumstances surrounding a delay in the diagnosis of colorectal cancer should be conducted by attorneys experienced in colon cancer cases.
Some our firm's recent medical malpractice settlements related to colo-rectal cancer lawsuits include:
- Rectal Cancer Diagnosis Delay: $1.25 Million Settlement
- Delay in Diagnosis and Treatment of Neuro-endocrine Colon Cancer: $850,000 Settlement
- Delay in Diagnosis of Colon Cancer Leading To Death: $1 Million Settlement
Questions?
If you believe you or a loved one was not provided the proper care and/or cancer screening related to a colon cancer diagnosis, please contact our law firm to request a free case evaluation.
Our attorneys and staff nurses are available to review your case. No fee. No obligation.
Learn more on our Colon Cancer Information Page.
We represent individuals and families in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Rhode Island.
