Gastroenterology Associates of New Jersey Stress the Under-screened During National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in March

Gastroenterology Associates of New Jersey (GANJ) is encouraging the public to “act on health” during this year’s National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month – a national movement to increase awareness and education about colorectal cancer (CRC) and to spread the message that CRC is preventable, treatable and beatable.

The men and women doctors of GANJ are also using this opportunity to reach out in particular to the under-screened community. Only about 60% of eligible individuals take advantage of screening colonoscopies, despite the fact that they are covered by most insurers without co-pays.

According to an abstract from the National Institutes of Health, a few previous studies have shown that women are less likely than men to be screened for CRC. In addition, although the incidence of CRC is higher among African Americans than any other population group in the United States, there is evidence that African Americans are less likely than Caucasians to get screened.

CRC is one of only a few cancers that can be prevented with screening, yet it remains the third-leading cause of cancer death in both men and women in the United States. Every year, about 140,000 Americans are diagnosed with CRC, and more than 50,000 people die from it. But this disease is highly preventable by getting screened beginning at age 50. If everyone age 50 and older were screened regularly, 6 out of 10 deaths from CRC would be prevented.

The American Cancer Society recommends that people ages 50 and older should talk to their doctor about getting screened. People should talk to their doctor sooner if they have a family history of the disease or another condition that puts them at increased risk.

In addition to screening, experts recommend lifestyle modifications, such as eating a healthy, balanced diet (including high-fiber, low-fat, and calcium-rich foods), not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, and exercising.

ABOUT GASTROENTEROLOGY ASSOCIATES OF NEW JERSEY

As a regional leader in gastroenterology, GANJ board certified doctors are some of the most accomplished and respected doctors in the state. Most of the gastroenterologists are involved in training and education of young doctors in this specialty. The multi-lingual practice is highly experienced in advanced gastroenterology procedures and includes women’s health experts. GANJ is located throughout 4 counties in over 12 offices and additional remote locations, has privileges in 7 hospitals, and performs procedures in 5 ambulatory surgery centers. For more information, visit www.ganjllc.com.