Neglected Colorectal Screenings Cost Thousands of Lives

March 31, 2011

Colorectal cancers (those affecting the large intestine) are becoming more common. Colorectal cancers (those affecting the large intestine) are becoming more common. In fact, colorectal cancer kills around 57,000 elderly people annually -- far more than prostate, kidney, breast, bladder or pancreatic cancer -- leaving it second only to lung cancer in annual fatalities.

One positive thing about colorectal cancer is that if it is detected early enough it is generally treatable. Unfortunately, though, screening procedures are often neglected even though they are part of the standard care protocol for men and women over the age of 50. Screenings should be performed at the same rate as annual mammograms, prostate exams and heart screenings, but are done at a much lower rate -- about two in five adults is overdue for a colorectal screening.

What Types of Tests Are Performed to Screen for Colorectal Cancers?

There are three medically acceptable procedures recommended -- at various time intervals -- to check for colorectal cancers. They are:
- An annual test that checks for microscopic blood particles in stool samples
- An invasive procedure called a flexible sigmoidoscopy used to view a portion of the large intestine performed every five years
- Colonoscopy -- a more invasive test involving a lighted camera which travels the length of the large intestine looking for irregularities -- performed at least once every 10 years over the age of 50

Again, though, these tests are not performed at nearly the regularity which is required to detect cancerous cells in time for treatment to be viable. A portion of the fault for missed screenings may lie upon the patients themselves, as they most likely do not realize the importance of having the recommended tests performed. Many men and women also still find the topic of the colorectal area an unseemly one and prefer to simply ignore it.

A larger portion of the blame, however, falls upon physicians themselves for not impressing upon their patients the need to run the tests. Doctors with patients in the 50+ age range must take the time to educate their patients about the risks associated with colorectal cancer and must be persistent in attempts to have patients consent to necessary -- and potentially lifesaving -- procedures. Not doing so may give rise to a medical malpractice claim.

If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with colorectal cancer and you believe that your cancer should have been caught earlier by screening exams, you should seek the advice of an experienced medical malpractice attorney in your area.