Colon Cancer Screening Laws By State
Published on Mar 24 2010, in the categories: Disease spreading
Colon cancer is one of the most common diseases in the United States. It is estimated that in 2008, 8070 new colon cancer and 40740 new rectal cancer cases were diagnosed and 49,960 deaths occurred. This accounts for about 9 percent of all cancer deaths.
Colon cancer can be diagnosed in the first stage, if tests are made. Colon cancer ca be discovered through screening tests which can find polyps, or abnormal growths, before they actually became cancerous. They can also detect colon cancer is stage 1, when is very easy to treat because the tumor has not left its original position.
Doctors recommend regular screening for all 50 years old adults, and for those that are over 50. Some of the screening procedures are: flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years, fecal occult blood test every year, computed tomographic colonography or virtual colonoscopy every five years, stool DNA testing and double-contrast barium enema every five years. One of the most important screening tests is the total colon examination by colonoscopy, which should be performed every ten years.
Today, more than half of the United States population is under the state laws that require insurance providers to cover the cost of colon cancer screening tests. In Nebraska, New Mexico and Washington the medical insurance has to cover colon cancer screening tests, including colonoscopy according to the law. These kinds of laws were introduced because not all those who have the risk in developing colon cancer can afford to take the screening tests at the recommended time periods.
Colon cancer screening laws by state are classified in four categories according to the interest the state has for this patients laws. Alaska has implemented the legislation since 2006, a Minnesota law requiring coverage for preventative screening was also introduced.
Because of the new laws that were introduced in some of the states, 54 percent of the United States population is now covered by laws that ask for a full insurance coverage for colon cancer screening. In 2006 only 49 percent of all Americans were these laws beneficiaries. So, as we can see colon cancer screening laws by state are different in applying or not the obligation for medical insurance to cover for the screening tests. However, free screening tests are very important because they can reduce the numbers of patients diagnosed with colon cancer end stages. Screenings at the recommended times can discover the cancer before it becomes a problem or it can be diagnosed when the tumor is located in the colon, and has not left that area and so it has not affected the colon wall. When colon cancers do spread the chances of cure are very low because treatment and surgery removal may not be possible.
Colon cancer can be diagnosed in the first stage, if tests are made. Colon cancer ca be discovered through screening tests which can find polyps, or abnormal growths, before they actually became cancerous. They can also detect colon cancer is stage 1, when is very easy to treat because the tumor has not left its original position.
Doctors recommend regular screening for all 50 years old adults, and for those that are over 50. Some of the screening procedures are: flexible sigmoidoscopy every five years, fecal occult blood test every year, computed tomographic colonography or virtual colonoscopy every five years, stool DNA testing and double-contrast barium enema every five years. One of the most important screening tests is the total colon examination by colonoscopy, which should be performed every ten years.
Today, more than half of the United States population is under the state laws that require insurance providers to cover the cost of colon cancer screening tests. In Nebraska, New Mexico and Washington the medical insurance has to cover colon cancer screening tests, including colonoscopy according to the law. These kinds of laws were introduced because not all those who have the risk in developing colon cancer can afford to take the screening tests at the recommended time periods.
Colon cancer screening laws by state are classified in four categories according to the interest the state has for this patients laws. Alaska has implemented the legislation since 2006, a Minnesota law requiring coverage for preventative screening was also introduced.
Because of the new laws that were introduced in some of the states, 54 percent of the United States population is now covered by laws that ask for a full insurance coverage for colon cancer screening. In 2006 only 49 percent of all Americans were these laws beneficiaries. So, as we can see colon cancer screening laws by state are different in applying or not the obligation for medical insurance to cover for the screening tests. However, free screening tests are very important because they can reduce the numbers of patients diagnosed with colon cancer end stages. Screenings at the recommended times can discover the cancer before it becomes a problem or it can be diagnosed when the tumor is located in the colon, and has not left that area and so it has not affected the colon wall. When colon cancers do spread the chances of cure are very low because treatment and surgery removal may not be possible.
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