DPHHS Urging Montanans to Get Screened for Colorectal Cancer – 40 Percent of the State Not Meeting Recommendations

The Department of Public Health and Human Services is urging Montana adults age 50 and older should get screened for colorectal cancer. DPHHS Cancer Control Section Supervisor Lisa Troyer said 40 percent of this pool is not meeting the screening recommendations.

"Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in Montana. 83 percent of adults that have not been screened actually have health insurance. So we're really working to increase awareness about colorectal cancer," Troyer said. "On average, about 172 have died from the disease each year."

Troyer said screening and early detection can reduce the mortality from colorectal cancer by as much as 60 percent.

"Risk increases with age, so most cases are diagnosed after age 50," Troyer said. "The 10-year trend, we're looking at between 2009 and 2013, almost 500 Montanans were diagnosed with colorectal cancer."

DPHHS has teamed up with organizations such as Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Montana to set a goal of an 80 percent screening rate by 2018