Doctors Encourage Colon Cancer Screenings To Get Ahead Of Disease

The American Cancer Society estimates 52,000 Americans will die from colon cancer in 2021.

Doctors say the biggest obstacle to treatment is a lack of screening.

"Probably going to a physician's office or a hospital for a procedure is safer than anything else you do," said Dr. Carl Raczkowski with Integris Health. 

Oklahoma saw a 75% reduction in the rate of colon cancer diagnoses last year, but they say the pandemic kept people from getting screened.

That's a huge problem.

The CDC says Oklahoma averages about 660 colorectal cancer deaths every year.

"Most of all of those are completely preventable," said Dr. Raczkowski.

Colon cancer is easily detectable by a doctor and usually curable.

The disease made headlines last August after actor Chadwick Boseman died of colon cancer at only 43-years old.

Doctors say he was younger than most patients, but in Oklahoma, only 39% of cases get caught early enough.

"I'm 50. I need to go get a colonoscopy," said Wade Cole, a local man diagnosed with Colon Cancer. "The doctor walked in and pulled the curtain back and said, Wade, I am sorry we found cancer."

Cole had no symptoms because colorectal cancer can take years to show itself, making it harder to survive.

The key to catching it: get screened.

"We need to do better. It's just another one of those things we are behind the curve on," said Dr. Raczkowski.

Wade Cole did beat that cancer, thanks to catching it early.

You can get screened at most local hospitals.

Uninsured Oklahomans can receive free screening through the state.