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News Articles: colonoscopy

Jeremy Nottingham (bottom right) sits for a family photo with his parents, Junius and Sharon, and sister Briana.

Testing your genes for cancer risk is way cheaper now — and it could save your life

Millions of people in the U.S. have a genetic variant that raises their risk of cancer. Genetic testing can help people find cancer earlier and seek treatment. But many patients aren't offered it.

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By:
  • Nell Greenfieldboyce
A new European study grabbed headlines this week, as it seemed to question the efficacy of colonoscopies as a cancer screening tool. But U.S. physicians say there were big limits to that study. They cite more than a decade of research showing colonoscopies save lives.

Colonoscopies save lives. Doctors push back against European study that casts doubt

Colon cancer specialists worry that results of a study published this week in the New England Journal of Medicine could be misconstrued, and keep patients from getting lifesaving cancer screening.

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By:
  • Allison Aubrey
Preventive care should be free to patients under the Affordable Care Act, but Elizabeth Melville of Sunapee, NH., was charged $2,185 for a colonoscopy in 2021.

Cancer screenings like colonoscopies are supposed to be free. Hers cost $2,185

Preventive care, like screening colonoscopies, is supposed to be free of charge to patients under the Affordable Care Act. But some hospitals haven't gotten the memo.

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By:
  • Michelle Andrews
This microscope image from the National Cancer Institute Center for Cancer Research shows human colon cancer cells with the nuclei stained red. Americans should start getting screened for colon cancer at age 45, according to new guidelines from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.

Colorectal Cancer Screening Should Start At Age 45, Experts Recommend

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force says the age that routine screening begins for colorectal cancer should drop from 50 to 45. Colorectal is the third-leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S.

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By:
  • Rob Stein