Letter to the editor: People deserve easier access to lifesaving screenings

As a registered infant nurse, I see how carefully parents protect their children’s health, but I also see how often they overlook their own care, including preventative screenings.

Colorectal cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States, despite the fact that it is also one of the most preventable. In Pennsylvania, of the 6,900 colorectal cancer diagnoses each year, more than 2,500 people will die from the disease.

When detected early, colorectal cancer five-year survival rates can be as high as 91%. But when allowed to progress, untreated, those rates drop quickly. In some cases, as low as 16%. But nearly 37% of at-risk Pennsylvanians are behind on routine screening. The challenge, then, is to get people screened early and often.

Traditional colonoscopies are effective but can be seen as inconvenient and invasive, while stool-based tests may feel awkward to use. Fortunately, new blood-based screening options like the FDA-approved Shield test offer a less invasive alternative. These tests are covered by Medicare and VA Community Care and can be done during a regular doctor’s visit, making screening more accessible.

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives recently recognized the need for greater access to critical health screenings by passing HB 1123, which would help address coverage gaps in cancer screenings, but new guidelines still need to include blood-based screening technology. As someone who works in health care, I hope leaders continue their work to ensure access for the most people to these innovative tests.

Kimberly Statler

Phoenixville