In our state, 34% of residents are not up to date with their colorectal cancer screenings, ranking Nevada 47th for screening. This is not just a statistic. These numbers represent cases of colorectal cancer that can lead to lives unnecessarily lost to this disease.
Colorectal cancer is the second-most common cause of cancer deaths in the United States for men and women combined, and the leading cause of cancer-related death among those under 50. In 2026 alone, the American Cancer Society estimates that more than 1,530 Nevadans will be diagnosed with colorectal cancer, and 580 will die from the disease. However, colorectal cancer is highly treatable when caught early.
As a gastroenterologist practicing in Las Vegas for several years after completing my fellowship at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine in Rochester, Minn., I initially found that encouraging both the medical community and my patients to discuss and prioritize colon cancer screening was challenging; however, the greater challenge has been convincing patients to undergo screening even when they have no symptoms.
Screening can reduce colorectal cancer mortality by more than 50% and significantly lowers incidence when performed at recommended intervals.
Screening should begin at age 45 for average-risk adults. Colonoscopy remains the gold standard because it detects and removes precancerous lesions in a single procedure. For those hesitant about colonoscopy, noninvasive stool-based tests are effective alternatives. More recently, Guardant Health’s Shield blood test became the first and only blood test approved as a primary screening option for colorectal cancer for those 45 and older at average risk, making it even easier to get screened.
The most important message is simple: The best screening test is the one you complete.
So why does Nevada lag behind in screening rates? Barriers, including limited access to care, socioeconomic disparities, insurance challenges and a lack of public awareness about prevention stop many from completing their recommended screenings. Too often, we treat disease instead of preventing it.
Improving our screening rate requires collaboration among physicians, primary care providers, employers, insurers and community organizations.
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The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.
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