Cancer Survivors Lobby for the Elimination of Colorectal Screening Cost Barriers

Hundreds of cancer patients, survivors and volunteers from the Mid-Atlantic States traveled to Washington, D.C. on Tuesday September 16, 2014 for an annual trip seeking support for continued cancer research, prevention and palliative care funding.Additionally, the group was lobbying for the elimination of colorectal cancer screening cost barriers.

Currently, Medicare patients who seek colonoscopies as preventative measures can see their out-of-pocket costs soar if polyps are found. Because of that potential cost, many people are skipping their scheduled screening procedures despite the fact that studies confirm that more than half of all colorectal cancer deaths could be prevented each year if everyone over the age of 50 is regularly screened. Representative from the American Cancer Society noted that our Congressional representatives need to know that we need to make cancer a national priority.  Every day, across the United States, 1,600 Americans die from cancer.