OP-ED by Tim McDonald
I didn’t have a family history of colorectal cancer. Screening wasn’t on my radar. Then a sudden pain in my side sent me to urgent care, a scan followed and my life changed. In the days after my diagnosis, I made a promise to myself: if telling my story could help someone else avoid a late-stage discovery, I would tell it.
February is National Cancer Prevention Month, a reminder that taking care of ourselves isn’t a weakness, but it’s a strength. For men and women everywhere, one of the most straightforward and powerful steps you can take is to stay up to date on recommended screenings, including for colorectal cancer.
Colorectal cancer is among the most treatable cancers when caught early, yet about one in three eligible Americans, more than 50 million people, aren’t up to date on screening. The reasons are too familiar: time off work, transportation, perceived anxiety about colonoscopy prep, confusion about options or simply putting it off. In Tampa Bay, with many seniors, veterans and seasonal residents, the barriers pile up fast.
One of the first steps in getting screened is knowing your options to do so. Colonoscopies are the gold standard for screening, but methods like stool-based tests and now blood-based tests are also critical.
New blood-based tests are increasing available screening options, such as Shield, the first FDA-approved blood-based test as a primary screening method for colorectal cancer, and is available for many average-risk adults. The test can be done during a regular doctor’s visit without preparation. It doesn’t replace colonoscopies, and a positive result still needs follow-up, but innovations like this can help encourage more people to get screenings.
If we’re serious about closing the screening gap, we must move from talking about innovation to implementing it. This means encouraging each other to get screened and ensuring that our screening policies catch up to science and are comprehensive of the options available.
If you’re 45 or older, here’s how to make National Cancer Prevention Month count:
- Ask your doctor, “Am I due for a colorectal cancer screening?” Guidelines recommend starting at 45 for average-risk adults. Whether you choose a colonoscopy, a stool test or a blood test, the best one is the one you’ll actually complete.
- Know your risks. Family history, symptoms or prior findings can change what’s right for you.
- Put it on the calendar today. Don’t wait for the “right time.” Make your screening part of your yearly routine, just as you would a car inspection.
This isn’t abstract across our state. We have large senior communities, veterans balancing care between providers and working families who can’t take extra time off. A stool test at home or a blood draw at a nearby clinic can make the difference between getting screened now and waiting until it’s too late.
A word of caution: a negative result doesn’t mean you can ignore symptoms. Blood in the stool, unexplained weight loss, persistent pain or changes in bowel habits deserve attention. A positive non-invasive test isn’t a diagnosis, but it’s a signal to get a colonoscopy promptly.
Florida residents, it’s time to act. Call your doctor. Talk to a loved one or friend about a screening. Don’t wait for a crisis to take your health seriously.
I wish I had started sooner. You still can. Make the appointment.
Tim McDonald is a colorectal cancer survivor and patient advocate who lives in Tampa. He shares his story to encourage timely screening and early detection.
