Mike Ramone is a former state representative and gubernatorial candidate. He also served on the governor’s Council on Health Promotion and Disease Prevention.
In 2016, I joined my fellow Delaware leaders in a pledge to meet 80% colorectal cancer-screening compliance by 2018.
Unfortunately, nearly a decade later, only 66% of Delaware’s eligible residents are regularly screened.
Far too often, we put our health on the backburner to keep up with our busy schedules. Whether you’re driving your kids to swim practice or trying to run your own business, getting tested for cancer isn’t at the forefront of your mind. However, regular testing is the key to keeping Delaware healthy and reducing the disease burden of colorectal cancer.
This type of cancer is the second-leading cause of all cancer-related deaths. Yet it has a 91% survival rate for patients with early-stage, localized colorectal cancer, which can be detected through regular, early screening. By getting screened routinely, polyps can be detected and treated before developing into cancer.
During my time in the General Assembly, I continually sought out new and innovative ways to address problems in the First State. With the rising cost of health care and decreasing access to care in rural areas, achieving the 80% testing goal has become even more challenging. Fortunately, innovations in cancer-screening technologies are making it easier and more accessible to stay up to date with routine screenings.
New blood-based screening methods — such as Shield, the first Food and Drug Administration-approved blood test for CRC — provide simpler and more convenient options for the 50 million Americans who are overdue for screening. Blood-based tests such as this are intended for those at average risk and do not replace traditional methods, like colonoscopies or stool-based tests. However, they are another tool in the arsenal to increase screening rates for many who may have delayed screening due to common barriers, such as transportation, work schedules or fear of invasive procedures.
Throughout my career, I aimed to find solutions that benefited everyone and moved our state forward. With new tools available to fight colorectal cancer, Delawareans can tailor their health care plans to their specific needs. Knowing your options and discussing them with your doctor can help you choose the screening method that’s best for you.
While innovation is essential, it’s only part of the solution. We all have a role — whether we’re community leaders, health care professionals or residents — in raising awareness about the importance of cancer screening and improving accessibility to it. Delaware ranks among the top 10 states in testing compliance, but we still have a long way to go to meet the 80% compliance goal. Since the 2016 pledge, testing guidelines have changed, and recommended screening now begins at age 45 for those at average risk, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Expanding access to screening methods is a positive step toward better health outcomes for everyone in Delaware. As an advocate for the health and well-being of all Delawareans, I urge everyone to take charge of their health, learn about the cancer-screening options available and make a cancer-screening plan. When we foster open communication about preventive care and emphasize the importance of education and accessibility, we can make real progress in closing the screening gap across Delaware’s communities.
Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at civiltalk@iniusa.org.
