18 Nov Preventable Colon Cancer Deaths Take Large Fiscal Toll In Poor Communities
Dr. Weir
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Hannah K. Weir, PhD, MSc
Senior Epidemiologist
CDC
Medical Research: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Dr. Weir: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading causes of cancer related deaths in the United States.
We know that the risk of dying from colorectal cancer is not the same across all communities – people living in poorer communities have a higher risk of dying from colorectal cancer than people living in wealthier, better educated communities.
In this study, we estimated the number of potentially avoidable CRC deaths between 2008 and 2012 in poorer communities. Then we estimated the value of lost productivity that resulted from these deaths. Lost productivity includes the value of future lost salaries, wages, and the value to household activities such as cooking, cleaning, and child care.
We focused on the age group 50 to 74 years because this is the age group where routine CRC screening is recommended. We estimated that more than 14,000 CRC deaths in poorer communities could have been avoided and that these CRC deaths resulted in a nearly $6.5 billion dollars loss in productivity.
This is tragic – for the person who died, their family and for their community. This loss in productivity contributes to the economic burden of these already disadvantaged communities.
Medical Research: What should clinicians and patients take away from your report?
Dr. Weir: We want everyone to live long, healthy and productive lives. Routine colorectal screening saves lives. People in poorer communities are less likely to get cancer screening tests. So their cancers are often found at a later stage, when it causes symptoms. Even if their cancer is treated, these patients are less likely to survive cancer when it is found in an advanced stage. Most likely, many of these 14,000 colorectal cancer deaths in poorer communities could have been avoided.
Regular CRC screening, beginning at age 50, is the key to preventing colorectal cancer and CRC deaths. There are three effective tests. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends fecal occult blood testing (FOBT), sigmoidoscopy, or colonoscopy. Patients should talk to their doctor about which of these tests is right for them. The best CRC screening test is the one that gets done.
Visit www.cdc.gov/cancer/colorectal/ for more information about CRC and CDC’s Colorectal Cancer Control Program, which helps states and tribes across the United States increase colorectal cancer screening rates among men and women aged 50 years and older.
Medical Research: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?
Dr. Weir: In this study, we focused on lost productivity associated with potentially avoidable colorectal cancer deaths. We know that there are costs associated with diagnosing and treating cancers that occur at a later stage. Many if not most of these 14,000 colorectal cancer deaths occurred among patients whose cancers were diagnosed at a later stage. Examining the costs associated with diagnosing and treating these cancers for a more complete picture of the overall economic burden is also important.
Citation:
Abstract presented at the
Disparities in Colorectal Cancer Death Rates Take a Large Economic Toll
[wysija_form id=”5″]
Hannah K. Weir, PhD, MSc (2015). Preventable Colon Cancer Deaths Take Large Fiscal Toll In Poor Communities
Last Updated on November 18, 2015 by Marie Benz MD FAAD