TheBlack Pantherstar was just 43 when he died after a four-year battle with colon cancer.
Edward Share, MD is a gastroenterologist at Cedars Sinai and is based in Los Angeles, California.
This can be a frustrating roadblock for anyone who wants to be proactive about their well-being.
Which has made many wonder: What is the point of these screening guidelines, anyways?
Screening guidelines are set by panels of experts and based upon data and evidence, he explains.
Besides the CDC, theAmerican Cancer Society,National Cancer Institute,U.S.
Charles Elder, MD, MPH, combines his clinical practice expertise with an interest in applying complementary medicine to mainstream medical care. His research focuses on complementary and integrative medicine (CIM), particularly in the areas of pain management and Ayurvedic medicine.
Organizations also consider access to test and treatment when determining guidelines.
Often, different groups might get different recommendations based on their unique risk factors.
Data shows that African Americans tend to get colon cancer earlier than white people andits often more advanced.
However, other cancer screening recommendations are more broad.
Its Amazing How Its All Connected.
There are both pros and cons to getting screened, Dr. Elder says.
The main pro, of course, is catching cancer early and [treating] it sooner.
But screenings also come with risks.
Even less invasive screenings, like blood tests for sexually transmitted infections, can come with some risk.
Charles Elder, MD, MPH, combines his clinical practice expertise with an interest in applying complementary medicine to mainstream medical care. His research focuses on complementary and integrative medicine (CIM), particularly in the areas of pain management and Ayurvedic medicine.
Theres also a risk for afalse positive, Dr. Elder says.
Insurance companies also use the guidelines to determine whats covered and what isnt.
If youre not at-risk, its important to ask yourself why you want to be screened, he says.
The average cost of a colonoscopy, for example, is$3,000.
The good news is that cancer screening guidelines truly do exist for a reason.
The patient truly does have tobe their own advocate, Dr. Share says.
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