Colorectal cancer screening can save lives

What is colorectal cancer?

Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in women in the United States and the second leading cause in men. It is expected to cause about 50,260 deaths during 2017.¹ It develops in the colon or rectum, usually as a small growth called a polyp. Because it can take several years for the polyp to develop into cancer, regular screening can often help prevent colorectal cancer. How? By finding polyps that can be removed before they become cancerous.

What are colorectal cancer symptoms?

Don’t wait to experience symptoms before you take action. The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends screening for colorectal cancer beginning at age 50 for most people. Chances of developing colorectal cancer increase a great deal after age 50. But even if you are under 50, it’s important to ask your doctor if you should begin getting tested earlier.

When colon cancer does have symptoms, they may include:

Diarrhea or constipation

Feeling that your bowel does not empty completely

Blood (either bright red or very dark) in your stool

Stools that are narrower than usual

Frequently having gas pains or cramps, or feeling full or bloated

Weight loss with no known reason

Feeling very tired all the time

Nausea or vomiting

Change in bowel habits

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, talk to your doctor. Most often, these symptoms are not due to cancer, but early cancer often doesn’t cause pain, so don’t wait to feel pain before seeing a doctor. When colorectal cancer is detected early, it can have a 90 percent or better cure rate.²

Amazingly, an estimated 60 percent of colorectal cancer deaths could be prevented if men and women aged 50 and older were screened routinely; however, only 61 percent of this group gets screened.¹

Medical Plans

Humana group medical plans are offered by Humana Medical Plan, Inc., Humana Employers Health Plan of Georgia, Inc., Humana Health Plan, Inc., Humana Health Benefit Plan of Louisiana, Inc., Humana Health Plan of Ohio, Inc., Humana Health Plans of Puerto Rico, Inc. License # 00235-0008, Humana Wisconsin Health Organization Insurance Corporation, or Humana Health Plan of Texas, Inc., or insured by Humana Health Insurance Company of Florida, Inc., Humana Health Plan, Inc., Humana Health Benefit Plan of Louisiana, Inc., Humana Insurance Company, Humana Insurance Company of Kentucky, or Humana Insurance of Puerto Rico, Inc. License # 00187-0009, or administered by Humana Insurance Company or Humana Health Plan, Inc. For Arizona residents, plans are offered by Humana Health Plan, Inc. or insured by Humana Insurance Company. Administered by Humana Insurance Company.

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Dental Plans

Humana individual dental plans are insured or offered by Humana Insurance Company, HumanaDental Insurance Company, Humana Insurance Company of New York, The Dental Concern, Inc., CompBenefits Insurance Company, CompBenefits Company, CompBenefits Dental, Inc., Humana Employers Health Plan of Georgia, Inc., Humana Health Benefit Plan of Louisiana, Inc., or DentiCare, Inc. (DBA CompBenefits). Discount plans are offered by HumanaDental Insurance Company, Humana Insurance Company, or Texas Dental Plans, Inc. For Arizona residents: Insured by Humana Insurance Company. For Texas residents: Insured or offered by Humana Insurance Company, HumanaDental Insurance Company, or DentiCare, Inc. (DBA CompBenefits).

Humana group dental plans are offered by Humana Insurance Company, HumanaDental Insurance Company, Humana Insurance Company of New York, Humana Health Benefit Plan of Louisiana, The Dental Concern, Inc., Humana Medical Plan of Utah, CompBenefits Company, CompBenefits Insurance Company, CompBenefits Dental, Inc., Humana Employers Health Plan of Georgia, Inc., or DentiCare, Inc. (DBA CompBenefits).

Vision Plans

Humana individual vision plans insured by Humana Insurance Company, The Dental Concern, Inc., Humana Insurance Company of New York, Humana Health Benefit Plan of Louisiana, Inc. For Arizona residents: Insured by Humana Insurance Company. For Texas residents: Insured by Humana Insurance Company.

Humana group vision plans are offered by Humana Insurance Company, HumanaDental Insurance Company, Humana Health Benefit Plan of Louisiana, Humana Insurance Company of Kentucky, Humana Insurance Company of New York, CompBenefits Insurance Company, CompBenefits Company, or The Dental Concern, Inc.

Life Insurance Plans

Humana group life plans are offered by Humana Insurance Company, Humana Insurance Company of Kentucky, or Kanawha Insurance Company.

Long Term Disability and Short Term Disability

Humana long term disability and short term disability plans are offered by Kanawha Insurance Company or Humana Insurance Company.

Workplace Voluntary Benefits

Humana Cancer, Critical Illness, Accident, Hospital Indemnity, Life and Disability Income plans are insured by Humana Insurance Company, Kanawha Insurance Company, or Humana Insurance Company of New York.

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Limitations and exclusions

Our health benefit plans, dental plans, vision plans, life and supplemental plans, workplace voluntary benefit products, long term disability plans, and short term disability plans have exclusions, limitations, and terms under which the coverage may be continued in force or discontinued. Our dental plans, vision plans, life and supplemental plans, workplace voluntary benefit products, long term disability plans, and short term disability plans may also have waiting periods. For costs and complete details of coverage, call or write Humana or your Humana insurance agent or broker.

Individual applications are subject to eligibility requirements.

Before applying for group coverage, please refer to the pre-enrollment disclosures for a description of plan provisions which may exclude, limit, reduce, modify or terminate your coverage. The plan provisions are available here or through your sales representative.

For group plans, please refer to your Benefit Plan Document (Certificate of Coverage/Insurance or Summary Plan Description) for more information on the company providing your benefits.

Statements in languages other than English contained in the advertisement do not necessarily reflect the exact contents of the policy written in English, because of possible linguistic differences. In the event of a dispute, the policy as written in English is considered the controlling authority.

Understanding colon cancer

What is colorectal cancer?

What are colorectal cancer symptoms?

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