Even with past studies hyping the fact that colon screenings dramatically reduce colon cancer deaths, only half of men and women over 50 in the United States are getting screened, according to a new report. That report doesn’t bode well for African Americans, who are more likely to die of the disease than their white counterparts.
If so, then why exactly are folks not getting screened? Experts are blaming lack of health insurance and too many doctors don’t suggesting screenings. But here’s the real deal: Anyone over the age of 50 should get screened once every 5–10 years. And if there is a history of colon cancer in your family, talk to your health care practitioner about getting screened even earlier than age 50.
