Gastroenterologist on Mission to Decrease Instance of Colorectal Cancer
03/09/2010 
Colorectal cancer, commonly known as colon
cancer, kills 140,000 people a year making it the second leading cause of
cancer death among American men and women, combined. But, according to the Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention, if everyone age 50 years or older were
screened regularly, as many as 60 percent of deaths from colorectal cancer
could be avoided.
"Armed with this statistic, I have made it
my personal mission to help fight colorectal cancer in the area," said
Dr. Alfred Kafity, board certified in gastroenterology and a
member of Fisher-Titus Medical Center's
medical staff.
For instance, in Huron County,
the screening rate for people age 50 and over was around 30 percent in early
2009. Last year, Dr. Kafity of Bay Area Gastroenterology in Norwalk
began the Open Access Colon CA Screening Program and his goal was to more than
double that figure by the year end. Now over 68% of
patients who qualify for a colon cancer screening colonoscopy are getting
screened.
Visit
www.BayAreaGastro.com to learn more about the Open Access Colon CA Screening
program. Persons age (45 if at high risk) to 50 and up may now be able to have
a colonoscopy for colon cancer screening without having to make an appointment first.
Local primary care physicians and nurse practitioners
have been extremely supportive of this new initiative and I am happy to report,
that since this program began, screenings were up 50 percent.
Ways to Minimize Your Risk
In addition to colon cancer screening, lifestyle
changes can also help in the prevention of colon cancer. These include:
- Maintaining a normal weight
- No smoking
- Limiting alcohol
- Increasing exercise
- Eating a diet rich in fiber that includes fresh fruit and vegetables with restrictions on red meat.
Recommendations for Colorectal Cancer
Screenings
The American Cancer Society recommends that
average-risk adults should begin colorectal cancer screening at age 50 years
with one of several options, including a once-a-decade colonoscopy that not
only detects cancerous growths, but can remove polyps before they become
cancerous. Studies show that screening rates rise and death rates decline
substantially when states require insurance coverage for these potentially
lifesaving procedures.
"Did you know that Medicare has a colon
cancer colonoscopy screening benefit for seniors? This is a great benefit and I
wish that all insurance companies provided this service in our area," Dr.
Kafity said. "Yet, many persons not on Medicare are finding it difficult
to get these screenings since unfortunately Ohio does not currently have legislation
that requires fee-for-service insurance providers to cover the cost of
preventative colorectal cancer screenings."
"For the first time, more than half of the U.S.
population is now covered by state laws that require insurance providers to
cover the cost of colon cancer screening tests, according to a new report card
issued by a coalition of 11 leading public health groups. Despite the gains, more
than 20 states still have failing marks of 'D' or 'F'. Ohio is one of the
states to receive a failing grade."
Visit www.eifoundation.org for more information.
Early Detection Saves Lives
When detected
early, colon cancer is among the most treatable of all cancers and has a
five-year survival rate of 90 percent. That survival rate drops to only 10
percent when people are diagnosed with the most advanced stage of the disease
(once it has spread from the colon to other organs such as the liver and
lungs). Early detection and prevention through screening is extraordinarily
cost effective.
"Early detection also produces overall
savings in health-care expenditures by reducing treatment costs," Dr.
Kafity said. "A recent report commissioned by ACG (American College of
Gastroenterology) estimated average per patient treatment costs of $30,000 when
cancers are detected in the early stages, compared to $120,000 for a patient
with late-stage colon cancer. While screening is cost-effective on an aggregate
basis, the out-of-pocket costs can strain the finances of uninsured and
underinsured individuals and discourage them from taking advantage of screening
technology."
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