Fewer colonoscopies during pandemic has led to cancer increase, Utah doctors say

By Emily Ashcraft, KSL.com | Posted - March 3, 2022 at 6:21 a.m.

SALT LAKE CITY — Colonoscopies have a bad reputation, partially because of the preparation patients need to do before the procedure. But two Utah doctors emphasized Wednesday how they play an important role in preventing later-stage cancer and can save lives.

Dr. Nathan Merriman, an Intermountain Healthcare gastroenterologist, said he has seen a lot of hesitance from patients needing colonoscopy screenings, especially over the last two years. He has seen a 50% drop in screening colonoscopies during the COVID-19 pandemic.

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and Merriman is encouraging people to take time now to schedule screenings or diagnostic colonoscopies and talk to family members about the issue.

In the United States, colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of death from cancer, and the third-leading cause for both men and women separately. It's expected to cause over 50,000 deaths in the country this year.

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