Don’t let covid-19 stall your colorectal cancer screening

GRAVETTE — Despite the ongoing covid-19 pandemic, Ozarks Community Hospital wants people to remember that cancer screenings should still remain a priority.

March is National Colorectal Awareness Month.

Colorectal cancer is the second deadliest cancer in the country for both men and women combined, but it is also a highly preventable disease with screening. At the start of the covid-19 outbreak, colorectal cancer screenings dropped roughly 90% and diagnoses fell by 32%, according to the Colorectal Cancer Alliance.

“We realize the impact the pandemic has had is significant, and OCH is working hard to get our patients caught up on their preventative screenings,” Kristen Ogden, director of clinic quality, said.

There are several options for colorectal cancer screenings. The “gold standard” is the colonoscopy, which is a procedure offered in Gravette. Dr. David Tucker, medical director and chief of staff at OCH, is one of two providers who perform the procedure weekly.

Tucker explained, “Colonoscopies are usually the best option because, if there are any precancerous polyps found during the screening, they are removed right then before they turn into cancer. There are also stool-based tests, but if any of these tests show abnormalities, a colonoscopy will still need to be performed.”

When it comes to colorectal cancer, the most common symptom is no symptom. Regular screening, beginning at age 45, is the key to early detection and successful treatment.

Most insurance plans, including Medicare, cover these preventative screenings with no out-of-pocket costs to patients.