Codman and American Cancer Society Highlight the Importance of Colorectal Cancer Screening Among African Americans

The COVID-19 pandemic prevented many people from seeking routine medical care such as cancer screenings. Data from the American Cancer Society (ACS) reported a staggering decline of more than 86% for those screenings.

Codman providers are especially concerned about a drop in colon cancer screenings because the disease is more prevalent and dangerous among African-Americans. This group is 20% more likely to get colorectal cancer and 40% more likely to die from it than other groups.

Now that we have moved past the most critical phase of the pandemic, and medical providers have developed safe ways to resume screenings, the ACS and Codman providers are urging those who are due for colorectal cancer screening to take action.

Colon cancer is 90% curable when caught early. There are several options for colorectal cancer screening and your provider can help you determine which is best for you.

“The most important thing is to get screened for colorectal cancer, no matter which test you choose,” says Dr. Rachel Hindin, an internal medicine physician at Codman.

In 2020 Codman Square Health Center was awarded a grant for work to increase colorectal cancer screenings, with funding made possible through the American Cancer Society’s partnership with the NFL and the League’s Crucial Catch campaign.

The grant enables Codman to offer patients several different ways to be screened for colorectal cancer. Any patient who wants to know if he or she is due for a colorectal cancer screening should contact their medical provider.

For more information on colorectal cancer screenings, visit this video, which features Dr. Hindin, among other providers.