Photo by Ousa Chea
The American Cancer Society Hopes To Curb Early Deaths From Cancer with New Recommendations
Cancer.
It is one of the scariest words in our vocabulary. It was not a word a Star Wellness client expected when her company offered their employees comprehensive health screenings in 2012. She expected someone to mention her eating habits or perhaps blood pressure. But cancer was the farthest thing from her mind.
Cancer in America Today
The National Cancer Institute released the following numbers in April: “In 2018, an estimated 1,735,350 new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in the United States and 609,640 people will die from the disease.”
Looking to lower these numbers, the American Cancer Society made a monumental recommendation this week. The suggestion is based on new information about the rising numbers of young adult colon and rectal cancer patients. The group recommends screening for these cancers at the youngest age to date.
Screening often leads to early detection, and early detection is one of the keys to successfully battling cancer. On their website, they assert, “Only about 20% of ovarian cancers are found at an early stage. When ovarian cancer is found early, about 94% of patients live longer than 5 years after diagnosis.”
Cassie’s Story
Such was the case for one employee of a Star Wellness client. When “Cassie” chose to participate in the Comprehensive Wellness Screenings offered by Star Wellness at her work, her results showed an abnormal reading. The blood testing process measured a level of an antigen known as CA-125. While this reading does not always translate directly to ovarian cancer – it was worth investigating further.
Sadly, the antigen reading proved correct, Cassie was in the beginning stages of ovarian cancer. A terrifying diagnosis, but found early because of the cancer screenings offered by her employer. It was not an easy-won battle, and there were moments that seemed more hopeless than others, but in the end, she outlasted her cancer.
The Star Wellness visit to Cassie’s place of employment found similar results for another of her friends. A single day of testing and screening helped to empower an entire company with private, personalized results of their health and wellness picture. But for Cassie, that visit meant so much more.“You saved my life!”
Stories such as this prove the reasoning for the American Cancer Society’s latest push for earlier screening. Speaking with NPR, the chief cancer control officer cited a sharp increase in deaths from colorectal cancer in individuals younger than the typical screening age.
The group found these cancers have increased 51% among adults under age 50 since 1994. As this is a new development, appropriate studies have yet to be completed. To date, the data cannot account for the reasoning for this sharp increase. For now, their only method to reduce these deaths is more screening.
Unfortunately, Cassie’s story has second side to it. Her loving aunt who saw her through her fight against ovarian cancer has recently fallen ill. Hospital tests have found the cause of her illness – and it is all to familiar with the family. Sadly, Cassie’s aunt, too, has been diagnosed with ovarian cancer. It was not found early. She is now battling the disease from a much later stage – stage IV.
Enter Low-Cost Screenings
Star Wellness provides a cost-effective way to test for many key indicators of wellness directly at the workplace. Developed to empower individuals to take charge of their health, it often catches many undetected health conditions. While basic wellness testing includes cholesterol, diabetes and thyroid issues, additional screenings for cancer can also be included.
Many Americans simply don’t go to the doctor when they are well. [hyperlink to previous blog] Seeing a physician is often considered a chore, time away from work or family, and unnecessary. As in Cassie’s story, this is not the case. The onsite employee wellness screenings offered by her employer saved her life and has saved numerous others.
The Future Outlook
Screening comes in many forms, but it is a crucial step in battling any disease, including certain types of cancers. David Weinberg, chairman of medicine at Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia and not involved with the new recommendations states, “The bottom line is that if you regularly participate in cancer screening, you have a reduced risk…”
The women in Cassie’s family are now getting DNA testing to determine if other women might be at risk for ovarian cancer. In 2012, Cassie’s surgeon ran the test on her, and those results will be compared to those of her aunt, cousins and other female members of her family. Hopefully nothing else will emerge, but perhaps this early testing will also save other lives in Cassie’s family.
Regardless of the type of illness – be it cancer, heart disease or diabetes – screening is a key to early detection. The same comprehensive screening that saved Cassie’s life might also save the life of you or a co-worker. Contact us today to discuss options.
