Barnabas Health Medical Group Urges New Jersey Residents to Get Screened for Colon Cancer

According to the American Cancer Society, New Jersey ranks 34th in the nation for colorectal cancer screenings – with only an estimated 63 percent of its residents over the age of 50 receiving a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy in the past 10 years or a fecal occult blood test in the past year. Colon cancer is the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States. However, with early screening and testing, colon cancer is Preventable, Treatable and Beatable.

“After reviewing the statistics from the American Cancer Society, my colleagues and I became concerned for the residents of New Jersey and opened a dialogue with our patients about why their family and friends hadn’t been screened for this common and sometimes fatal disease,” said Carl Wallach, M.D., a board-certified gastroenterologist of Affiliates in Gastroenterology, an affiliate of Barnabas Health Medical Group.

Research shows the most commonly reported reasons that people don’t get screened for colorectal cancer are inability to cover cost, inadequate insurance, no access to healthcare and lack of information about colon cancer prevention methods. However, Dr. Wallach found that wasn’t always the case in New Jersey.

“New Jersey is among the wealthiest and most educated states in the country, and the National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance gave New Jersey legislation an “A” rating for its efforts to ensure that insurance providers cover preventative colorectal cancer screenings for all policy holders,” said Dr. Wallach. “Now is the time for New Jersey residents to get screened to prevent colorectal cancer.”

To learn more about colon cancer and the importance of screening, please visit StopColonCancerNow.com/NorthJersey. For more information about Dr. Wallach or to make your appointment to get screened, visit barnabashealthmedicalgroup.org/Physician-Directory/W/Carl-B-Wallach-MD.aspx.

About Barnabas Health Medical Group

Barnabas Health Medical Group is a multispecialty group practice comprised of highly trained and experienced world class primary and specialty care physicians. Barnabas Health Medical Group physicians provide compassionate and innovative cutting-edge care for people at every stage of life at easily accessible facilities conveniently located throughout New Jersey. Backed by the vast continuum of resources at the Barnabas Health medical centers, our dedicated physicians and expertly trained supporting staff continuously strive for clinical excellence. For more information, visit www.BarnabasHealthMedicalGroup.org.