The Western Maryland Health System, in cooperation with the Allegany County Health Department, now has a program that provides free colorectal cancer screenings for Allegany County residents between the age of 50 and 64 who are uninsured and meet income eligibility requirements. People under age 50 with a family history of colon cancer and polyps may be eligible to participate in the program, if they meet the financial requirements. The program was established through a grant from the state of Maryland Cigarette Restitution Funding Program and the Allegany County Health Department, and it is being administered through the Western Maryland Health System Wellness Center at 938 National Highway in LaVale. According to the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the state. In 2001, it is estimated that 2,600 Maryland residents will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer and approximately 1,100 will die from the disease, which also ranks second nationally as the leading cause of deaths to cancer.
Colorectal cancer is highly preventable and, if detected early, can be treated very effectively.
The key to fighting colorectal cancer is to have a regular screening. Screening tests can detect colorectal polyps, which are small growths that may become cancer if not removed. Screening tests can also find colorectal cancer early, when there may not be any symptoms and when treatment can be most effective. The risk of developing colorectal cancer increases with age. More than one-third of all colorectal cancer deaths could be avoided if people over 50 had regular screening tests.