OPINION:
My husband, Scott, embodied the very best qualities of military service: dedication, resilience and loyalty.
He served with distinction in elite U.S. Army units and fought Stage 4 colorectal cancer with unwavering courage for 2½ years.
Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States, yet it has a 91% five-year survival rate when caught early. Unfortunately, an estimated 1.6 million veterans are overdue for screening.
Many face real barriers: navigating a complex health system, limited access to care, time constraints and discomfort with traditional methods. Military training instills a mindset to push through pain, often making preventive care a low priority.
The good news: The American Cancer Society just updated its screening guidelines for colorectal cancer to recommend the Shield blood test, the first and only U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved blood test for primary screening for colorectal cancer in adults 45 and older at average risk.
That is why the United States Preventive Services Task Force, the congressionally mandated body that updates clinical guidelines for preventive care, should act quickly to review and revise its own screening guidelines.
Broadening the recommended screening options would help ensure that more people, including veterans, are screened.
The Sterling Promise Foundation was created in Scott’s honor with this mission in mind: to help bridge gaps, including financial ones, to better support our veteran community through increased awareness of early detection and by providing critical cancer screenings.
Expanding awareness and access to preventive screening for veterans is a commitment our nation must keep.
Early detection can save your life, so treat this mission like you would any other: Educate yourself, plan, prioritize and follow through.
CHRISTINA STERLING
Founder, The Sterling Promise Foundation
Boston, Massachusetts
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