(NAPSA)—Although March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month, any time is a good time to discuss new developments in colon cancer screening. And there is good newsto talk about. Thanks CA] cologuard systems and health plans are encouraged A to promotepatienthealth, satisfaction and quality by offering and covering multiple testing methods, including Cologuard and virtual colonoscopy, with the goal of getting more peopleto follow through with screening. Asa result, patients may J to several important preventive health guidelines updated last year, there is now more access to, and insurance cov- erage for, a variety of screening options beyond a colonoscopy. The Problem According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), colon cancerkills close to 50,000 Americans each year, making it the second-leading cause of cancer-related death in this country (behind only lung cancer). What makes this statistic so staggering is that colon canceris one form ofthe disease that can be detected early and actually prevented if people @ oninvasive tests make it easier than ever to screen for colon cancer. Finding An Answer The low number of Americans getting screened for colon cancer using traditional methods prompted the ACS and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to launch a joint campaign aimed at making more screening options available in order to get 80 percent of Americans screened for colon cancer by 2018. Data from the National Colorectal Cancer Roundtable showsthat reaching get screened. The ACS recommendsthat all Americans at average risk (meaning no family history or other risk factor) begin screening at age 50. Unfortunately, less than half of all those who should get tested actually do, in large part because many are unwilling or unable to undergo colonoscopy. year by 2030. In addition, several important guidelines were updated recently to include novel screening options. Here's what you need to know. 52-year-old Boston-area accountant. She Services Task Force (USPSTF) issued ing is and how newtests can help get those who avoided screeningin the past cer screening, which state that newer methods, such as noninvasive at-home Consider the case of “Dorothy; a knowsfirsthand how important screen- to follow through. “Tm active, eat well andfelt great, so when it came to colon cancer, I figured I was in theclear. Plus, the prep and discomfort involved with getting a colonoscopy made meanxious.” It wasn't until a friend was diagnosed with colon cancer that Dorothy researched her options and learned about Cologuard, a noninvasive, at-home screening option, and decided to get tested. Hertest result was positive and following colonoscopy, she was shockedto learn that she had Stage 1 cancer. Dorothy had surgery to remove her tumorandis now cancerfree. that milestone would prevent an addi- tional 21,000 colorectal cancer deaths per In June 2016, the U.S. Preventive sweeping new guidelines for colon can- stool DNAtesting (Cologuard) and virtual colonoscopy (CT colonography), provide just as much benefit to patients as traditional methods, such as colonos- copy. Theresult is that patients 50+ now have greater access to and insurance coverage for screening methods that they may never have considered before. In addition, the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA)—anor- ganization that measures the performance of health care organizations—updatedits guidance on colon cancer screening in October. Now,health care providers, health see more information from providers and insurance companies about various screening options, and conversations with health care professionals should include greater dialogue about whichtesting option is best for them. “Colon cancer can be detected at a very early stage if patients are screened on a regular basis. However, because so many are reluctant to undergotraditionaltesting, access to noninvasive and easy-to-use alternativesis critical to improving compliance,” said Dr. Thomas Mackey, a Professor of Clinical Nursing at the University of Texas Schoolof Nursing at Houston. “The updated USPSTF and NCQAguidelines are an importantstep in giving both physicians andpatients more choice in how screening gets done and thatwill certainly savelives” Cologuard analyzesa patient-provided stool sample for the presence of DNA and blood biomarkers knownto be associated with cancer and precancers.Patients take the FDA-approvedand physician-prescribed test at home, sendthekitto a lab for testing andreceivetheir results in aslittle as two weeks. Patients who get a positive result will need to have a diagnostic colonoscopy, while those with a negative result should continue to participate in a screening pro- gram at an interval and with a method appropriate for them based on discussion with their health care provider. Newertests, greater access to them and broader supportfor colon cancer screening makethis the bestyear yetto get screened. So if you're over 50, don’t delay any longer. Check screening off yourto-dolist. Learn More To learn more aboutthe prescription-only test, visit www.CologuardTest.com. Cologuardis indicated to screen adults of either sex, 50 years or older, whoareat typical average-riskfor CRC. Cologuardis not a replacement for diagnostic or surveillance colonoscopy in patients at high riskfor colorectal cancer. Bothfalse positives andfalse negatives do occur. Any positive should befollowed by a diagnostic colonoscopy. A negative Cologuardtest result does not guarantee absence of cancer or advanced adenoma.Following a negative result, patients should continue participating in a screening program at an interval and with a method appropriatefor the individualpatient. Cologuard performance when usedfor repeattesting has not been evaluatedor established. Rx Only.