Talking to your patients

Here are a few talking points you can use when speaking to patients about colorectal cancer screening:

Colorectal cancer is the second most deadly form of cancer, but it doesn’t have to be.
Screening can prevent the cancer or catch it early when it’s highly treatable.
Most insurance plans cover 100% of the cost of screening with no co-pays or deductibles. Even without insurance, there are low cost, reliable options. Let’s talk about the one that is right for you.
Make and keep your appointment to be screened.
Then, talk about your experience and encourage other people you know to be screened too.

Your Stories

I was screened for colorectal cancer and was diagnosed with stage IV cancer in February 2010. My surgeon estimated the cancer had probably been growing in my colon for about 10 years! If I had been screened earlier, there would have been advantages to diagnosing and treating the cancer earlier.

I talk about colon screening because I want my friends and family members to understand it isn’t a terrible process, like they might think. It’s easy to do, and when it comes to colon cancer, early diagnosis and prevention really make a difference. I’m an example of how it saves lives.

I have had regular checkups since then and have no evidence of colon cancer. I will continue to have colon screenings and I encourage others to do the same.

Joy Maxwell – Roseburg