COLUMBIA, S.C. — The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network is urging state lawmakers to boost funding for free colorectal cancer screenings.
It comes as The American Cancer Society estimates that 2,600 people will be diagnosed with colon cancer this year in South Carolina. The disease is now the leading cause of death in men under 50 and second-leading cause of death in women under 50.
With a family history of cancer, 61-year-old Michael Brooks felt the need for a colonoscopy weighing on him for over a decade.
“Just kind of pushing it off, pushing it back,” said Brooks.
Being self-employed and uninsured, he kept putting it off.
“I just couldn't afford it,” said Brooks.
However, he found hope through South Carolina’s Colorectal Cancer Prevention Network (CCPN).
“Everything came back clear,” said Brooks. “It’s a nice peace of mind to have.”
Jo Clevenger, a patient navigator for CCPN, said the program served 1,300 people in 2023 but ran out of funding before the end of the year.
“We need more money so that we can help more people. It's as simple as that,” said Clevenger.
The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network asking the General Assembly to increase funding from $1 million to $2 million.
“This is a life-saving program and it certainly saves the state money as well if we can Prevent cancer or detect cancer early,” said CAN Government relations director Beth Johnson.
Johnson said the cost of treating colon cancer is $80,000, but if cancer is detected or screened early, the cost is around $2,000.
Patient Navigators like Clevenger are the point of contact from the time a patient goes to the doctor, to after they leave the endoscopy center. According to the ACS, 5,000 total individuals have been screened in the last 6 years.
In the meantime, Brooks encourages everyone to get screened: '
“I would say check into it, definitely check into it and see if you qualify,” said Brooks.
The American Cancer Society recommends men and women start getting regularly screened for colon cancer at age 45.
Signs of colon cancer include:
- A change in bowel habits, such as more frequent diarrhea or constipation.
- Rectal bleeding or blood in the stool.
- Ongoing discomfort in the belly area, such as cramps, gas or pain.
- A feeling that the bowel doesn't empty during a bowel movement.