Colon cancer is considered the second leading cancer-related cause of death in the United States, with more than 50,000 deaths seen each year. However, due to advanced screening methods, it is considered preventable and easily treated if caught in the early stages.

There are many reasons people do not get screened for colorectal cancer including embarrassment to talk about the colon and about having procedures involving the colon or tests that require giving stool samples. Lack of insurance to cover the cost of tests, or never having had a health care professional recommend testing are also barriers to screening.

Dr. José Orellana, internal medicine physician at UConn Health who specializes in gastroenterology, tells NBC Connecticut that minority patients are less likely than whites to be screened for colorectal cancer.

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