FOCUS ON HEALTH:Early testing can prevent deaths

Dr. Phuong Nguyen knows that for most people, colorectal cancer is an uncomfortable subject. But as the director of the advanced endoscopy center at Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian, she wants to talk to as many people as she can about the disease that affects more than 135,000 Americans each year.

Partnering with CVS Pharmacy, Hoag is in the midst of the Test for Life campaign, in which more than 320,000 noninvasive, take-home colorectal cancer screening tests will be distributed throughout Southern California, now through April 14 at local CVS pharmacies.

By identifying hidden blood in the stool, the EZ Detect kits may pick up on one of the early indications of colorectal cancer, which causes 55,000 deaths per year in the United States, making it the second-most-common cancer-related death in the country, Nguyen said, adding that the majority of those fatalities could be prevented through early detection.

Though a positive result does not necessarily indicate cancer and a negative result does not eliminate the possibility, Nguyen hopes the tests — which require no stool handling or laboratory processing — will alert people to the prevalence of the disease, and prompt them to visit a physician for testing.

“Only one-quarter of the patients in the U.S. who qualify for a screening actually have it done,” Nguyen said. “There is a severe lack of patient and physician awareness of colorectal cancer.”

Nguyen recommends that everyone over 50 go in for regular screening tests, and those with a personal or family history of cancer should do so sooner. Also, people should watch out for symptoms such as changes in bowel pattern, rectal bleeding and rapid weight loss.

“It is important for people to get tested because we can detect pre-cancer lesions and remove them, so it’s not just cancer detection, it’s cancer prevention,” she said.

Other than undergoing regular testing, some studies indicate patients can lower their risk of colorectal cancer by eating less red meat and more dietary fiber, Nguyen said.

CVS pharmacist and campaign organizer Yolanda Meza hopes the campaign will bring awareness to many people who are embarrassed to talk about colorectal cancer or whose physicians are not recommending testing.

“The test is one way people can take an active role in their own health,” she said. “Life is precious, and if you have a tool that can help extend your life, please come in and take advantage of it.”

Free EZ Detect kits are available at the following Newport-Mesa CVS pharmacies:

1020 Irvine Ave., Newport Beach

2521 Eastbluff Drive, Newport Beach

1835-C Newport Blvd., Costa Mesa

2701 Harbor Blvd., Costs Mesa

1150 Baker St., Costa Mesa