Southwest Montana News

Public health officials in Montana are collaborating with local coffee shops to emphasize the significance of colorectal cancer screening for individuals aged 45 to 75. This initiative is part of Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, observed in March. The Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) is distributing coffee sleeves with a message urging those aged 45 and older to consult their doctors about appropriate colorectal cancer screenings.

Sara Murgel from the DPHHS Cancer Control Program highlighted the preventability of colorectal cancer through timely screenings starting at age 45. "It’s vitally important that people are screened because early detection is the key," she stated. Murgel also noted that colorectal cancer ranks as the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S., predominantly affecting individuals aged 50 and above.

New data indicates an increase in screening rates among Montanans aged 45-75, with 68 percent up-to-date according to the 2023 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFFS), compared to 62 percent in 2018. However, Murgel pointed out that the national target remains at 80 percent. "We are improving, but we still need to keep this important issue in the forefront," she said, expressing gratitude towards the Montana Cancer Coalition for partnering with coffee shops in this endeavor.

Screening tests can detect precancerous polyps, allowing for their removal before they develop into cancer. Early detection through regular screenings enhances treatment effectiveness since early-stage cancers may not present symptoms initially.

Coffee shops interested in participating can reach out to the DPHHS Montana Cancer Control Program by contacting Sara Murgel at 444-1437 for further information.