Katie Couric's Colon Cancer Screening
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Katie Couric colon cancer screening on national TV saved lives by getting people to take a colonoscopy screening
With help from the Katie Couric Colon Cancer Foundation, the John Monahan Center for Gastrointestinal Health opened in 2004. This world-class center gives patients all procedures and treatments in a single place.
In 2002, Katie Couric put colon cancer screening on the map. That was when millions of people watched as she televised her own colonoscopy on the TODAY Show.
More colonoscopies
In the years after the show, 20% more people received colonoscopies. Researchers at the University of Michigan called it "the Couric effect." Katie saved many lives by showing viewers how the procedure worked, and that it was easy and painless. People often imagine the worst. They talk themselves out of having their colonoscopies. Katie took some of the fear away by taking the mystery out of the test.
According to the American Cancer Society, the death rate for colon cancer dropped more than that of any other major cancer in 2003-2004. In that time period, more people received screening tests than ever before. This was due largely to the Katie Couric colon cancer influence. When caught early, colon cancer has an almost 90% cure rate.
Katie's Husband
Katie's husband, Jay Monahan, died of colon cancer in 1998 at age 42. He was diagnosed at age 41. He had no symptoms. Had he been screened earlier, he may have lived a long life. After seeing her husband shuffled from place to place for tests and treatments, and then passing away, Katie was determined to help people get screening tests.
Through the Entertainment Industry Foundation, she and cancer activist Lilly Tartikoff founded the National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance (NCCRA). The NCCRA's goals are to educate people about colon cancer, help them take action to stay healthy, and raise research dollars.
Top-level scientists funded by the NCCRA are working on new ways to prevent, diagnose and treat colon cancer. Researchers have developed a DNA-based stool test that you can take in the privacy of your home. The test can tell if you have genetic defects that indicate the potential for colon cancer.
YouTube
On her YouTube channel, Katie reported in May 2008 that scientists found a genetic defect called Lynch Syndrome. Those with Lynch syndrome have an increased chance of getting colon cancer before age 45. Their lifetime chance of getting colon cancer is 60% to 80%. If you have a family history of colon cancer, especially before age 50, discuss this with your doctor. If you have tests that are positive, your doctor will set up a more frequent screening program for you. Follow it!
Another Katie Couric colon cancer goal is for all states to require insurance companies to cover colon cancer screenings. Many people just won't schedule their test if insurance won't cover the cost. Thanks to her efforts, a majority of states now require coverage.
So - take care of yourself. Eat right, exercise, get plenty of sleep, and follow through with your colonoscopy. If Katie can do hers on national television, yours should be a breeze.
Protect Yourself From the High Cost of Cancer
According to the recent studies, American men have a 44% chance of developing cancer while the chances for women are about 37%. The general risk of developing colon cancer in the United States is about 6%. For this reason, it's important for everyone, particularly people above the age of 50 years, to go for routine screening.
Whether discovered early or late, cancer is a debilitating disease due to the care, costs and the mental and physical trauma involved. Many times the cost of treatment leaves the patient in heavy financial distress.
Most insurance plans do not cover the total cost of the treatment, which leaves the patient and their family in a lurch. These days people have started purchasing supplemental cancer insurance that can help in covering otherwise uninsured expenses related to cancer illness.
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