Non-Profit Group Formed to Promote Safe Colorectal Cancer Screenings...(d screening with colonoscopy the gold st...),Health

Stanford Plavin, MD, Vice Chairperson of the Coalition and managing partner of Ambulatory Anesthesia of Atlanta, states: "It is tragic that many people avoid colorectal cancer screening due to fear or anxiety. Colorectal cancer screening can be achieved in an effective manner without discomfort. I encourage patients and providers to join us in this most important effort to maintain all effective options for colorectal cancer screening that will enable us to achieve higher screening rates and make a positive impact on cancer survival."

"In order to achieve a higher colorectal cancer screening rate, physicians must be able to choose optimal forms of sedation to encourage patients to undergo screening colonoscopies," elaborates Dr. Morris. He observes further that "75 percent of new colon cancer cases occur in persons with no known risk factors, regular colorectal cancer screenings are crucial to the prevention, early detection and successful treatment of this disease."

The Coalition will work from a broad perspective to establish public policy consensus on the importance of physician and patient choice necessary for sustained improvement in colorectal cancer screening rates. One of the first written comments submitted by the Coalition relates to a proposed medical policy by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Tennessee regarding the use of anesthesia services for routine gastrointestinal endoscopy. A copy of the Coalition's letter to the health plan is available at http://www.preventingcolorectalcancer.org .

Membership categories have been identified for a full range of stakeholders. The Coalition is actively recruiting members to join the organization and serve on the Coalition's Board of Directors and other committees. Tax-deductible contributions also can be sent t
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