Sharp Decrease in Cancer Screenings Due to COVID-19 Pandemic Has Intermountain Physicians Strongly Urging Utahns to Catch Up on Screenings

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Intermountain Healthcare physicians saw a 50% decrease in colorectal and other vital cancer screenings among patients across the state of Utah, leading them to remind Utahns not to delay their care, especially now that COVID transmission rates are easing.

Physicians say delays in screenings may mean that the missed cancers might be larger and more advanced than if they are discovered sooner during routine annual screenings.

“As routine screenings dropped-off we’ve seen a 15% increase in stage 3 cancers in which chemotherapy is recommended,” said Mark A. Lewis, MD, medical oncologist and director of gastrointestinal oncology at Intermountain Healthcare. “This is largely a preventable illness, and we can certainly intervene at earlier stages before you need an oncologist.”

As March is Colon Cancer Awareness Month, Intermountain physicians want Utahns to realize a colonoscopy has the potential to save lives.  A colonoscopy can detect cancers and precancerous lesions while in the early stages, which is when they are the most treatable – but before other symptoms appear.

In the United States, colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men and in women, and the second most common cause of cancer deaths when men and women are combined. It's expected to cause about 52,580 deaths during 2022.

“It’s really important to talk to family members about patterns of illness and disease and medical problems to understand what we’re at risk for,” said Nathan Merriman, MD, associate medical director of gastroenterology and digestive health at Intermountain Healthcare. “Those conversations may seem uncomfortable, but they can save lives.”

New national guidelines have changed that now recommend people 45 years old (it used to be 50) to begin screening for colon cancer.

Who should be screened?

• Any man or woman aged 45 or older
• Anyone with a close relative who has had colorectal cancer or polyps
•  Anyone with a history of certain medical conditions that affect the colon

Dr. Merriman also said to watch for blood in your stools, unexplained weight loss, and fatigue as potential symptoms of colon cancer.

In the past, one of the only ways to screen was a colonoscopy, however new advancements allow people to screen more often using a Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) kit at home.

The FIT isn’t set to replace a colonoscopy, but can serve as a vital tool for regular monitoring for those with low to moderate risk of colorectal cancer. Physicians agree, If FIT results come back positive, a colonoscopy should be scheduled.

If you are 45 years old or older, talk to your doctor about which test is right for you.

For more information on FIT kits, colonoscopies, or to find a physician visit www.Intermountainhealthcare.com/cancer or go here.

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