It was caught early enough to stop, Yeatman said, and his mom is doing fine. But if she had been screened at age 50, as is recommended, the pre-cancerous polyps could have been removed, and she likely would have avoided cancer altogether. Yeatman likes to ask people if they've known someone with colon cancer or polyps. Most people answer yes. It's a common disease.
Advocates say education is just the beginning.
They also are pushing for new laws to require HMOs to cover regular colorectal screenings. Medicare does cover regular tests, but only for people 65 or older. While doctors acknowledge the need for people to take responsibility for their own health, Yeatman said many patients tell him they would be more likely to have preventive tests if they're at least partially paid for. Mrs. Mott wasn't tested until the fall, after a routine blood test indicated some irregularities. Further tests found the cancer.