Show #425 Airing Sunday, 3/16/08
There’s more to March than college basketball and green beer (though these are pretty important). It’s Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and its lofty aim is to save lives. Here to make sure we’re not too “Green” when it comes to our knowledge of this disease is Dr. Alice Petrulis, medical director of Ohio KePRO.
Question: Doctor, you've prepared a quiz to check out how wise our viewers are when it comes to colorectal cancer prevention. So let's get right to it. First, true or false: your risk of colorectal cancer goes up once you hit age 50.
Answer: The answer to that is true. Age is a major risk factor of colorectal cancer. Other risk factors include a family history of the disease, a personal history of polyps, and having a condition such as inflammatory bowel disease or other types of colitis.
Question: Next, multiple choice: Which of the following is a recommended test for colorectal cancer screening:
- Fecal Occult Blood testing
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy
- Colonoscopy
Answer: This is a trick question. All three are recommended screenings, and what is best is not always clear, so it’s important to talk to your doctor about screenings.
The fecal occult blood test is not a supernatural test using magic, though it does use the word “occult.” No, it refers to stool cards, where the stool is tested for blood. This test is done on a yearly basis.
In a flexible sigmoidoscopy, a tube is placed in the rectum and the lower part of the colon is examined. This test is recommended every 5 years, and is often used in conjunction with fecal occult blood testing.
The colonoscopy is a wonderful test that examines the whole colon and is recommended once every 10 years if previous results are normal. However, there are some downsides to the test. First, it isn’t always covered by insurance. Second, you must clean your colon out the day before, (which is a real pain in the behind). And you are given some sedation when the test is administered, so you will probably sleep the rest of the day. You do have to commit two days of your life, therefore, to the test.
Again, go over your options with your doctor.
Question: And, finally, which of these tests (Fecal Occult Blood testing,Flexible sigmoidoscopy,or Colonoscopy) is covered by Medicare?
Answer: Actually, all three screenings we discussed are covered for Medicare beneficiaries age 50 and over at average risk for colorectal cancer.
Fecal occult blood testing is free once every 12 months.
Flexible sigmoidoscopies are covered once every 48 months while colonoscopies are covered once every 10 years.
By “covered,” I mean that Medicare pays 80% of the cost after the deductible. The patient (or private insurance) has to pay the remaining 20%.
Those who are at high risk for the disease are covered for additional screenings. Again, talk to your doctor.
Question: This all can be very confusing. Where can we learn more?
Answer: You can call us to receive a free Guide to Medicare’s Preventive Services. In addition to the information we talked about coverage for colorectal cancer screenings, this guide also discusses screenings for diabetes, prostate cancer, breast cancer, etc., and tells you what’s paid for by Medicare.
So how did you do? For more information on colorectal cancer screenings, or to receive a free copy of the Guide to Medicare’s Preventive Services, give Ohio KepRO a call at the number that’s next. This guide can save you money AND help protect your health. My thanks to Dr. Alice Petrulis.
