Olympus Launches Colorectal Cancer Awareness Initiatives

Leader in GI Endoscopy Promotes Screening to Prevent Colorectal Cancer

CENTER VALLEY, Pa., (March 19, 2019) – Olympus, a global technology leader in designing and delivering innovative solutions for medical and surgical procedures, among other core businesses, announced today its efforts in promoting National Colorectal Cancer (CRC) Awareness. March 2019 marks the 20th annual National CRC Awareness Month, observed to educate the public on this major health issue and promote awareness for cancer screening, prevention and testing.

According to the American Cancer Society, more than 50,000 people die from colorectal cancer each year, making it the second leading cancer killer in the U.S. among men and women combined.i The statistics also show that more than 60% of those deaths could be prevented with early detection,ii and yet a quarter of all adults aged 50-75 in the U.S. have not been screened.iii

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends screening for colorectal cancer by one of several tests, including colonoscopy, beginning at age 50 and continuing until age 75. The American Cancer Society updated its screening guidelines in 2018, recommending that people at average risk begin screening at age 45.iv

The Colon Cancer Coalition refers to colonoscopy as the “gold standard for detection of colon cancer.”v This is because colonoscopies give doctors the best chance of spotting the precancerous polyps that can be easily removed before becoming malignant. Although Olympus is proud of its strides in surgical procedures such as endoscopic submucosal dissection, which has allowed en-bloc treatment to become more effective and less invasive even when a GI cancer is more progressed, healthcare providers and the industry alike know that early detection is always a patient’s best defense.

Today, advances in colon cancer screening provide doctors with an even more expansive view. One such advance is the ENDOCUFF Vision® therapeutic device, which affixes to the distal tip of the colonoscope and aids physicians in gaining a fuller picture of the mucosa by flattening folds inside the colon. Research has shown that use of the ENDOCUFF Vision improves the effectiveness and efficiency of colonoscopies by increasing adenoma detection rates.vi

To increase the number of people who are screened, Olympus is continuing its support of major national colorectal cancer organizations and offering its own screening incentives. These efforts include:

  • Sponsoring 100 free or low-cost colonoscopies for those in need.
  • Sponsoring the Colorectal Cancer Alliances’ “Big Colon Tour”
  • Sponsoring the Colon Cancer Coalition’s “Get Your Rear in Gear” 5K run/walk and Tour de Tush cyclist event in six cities
  • Motivating employees to become educators about the importance of colorectal screening
  • Continuing patient education outreach via colonoscopytoday.com

“Raising awareness about colorectal cancer is vital to the work that we do here at Olympus,” said Kurt Heine, Group Vice President of the Endoscopy Division at Olympus America Inc. “Early detection and treatment saves lives, which is why we continue to invest in and develop devices that enable physicians to see more and treat more.”

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About Olympus Medical Systems Group
Olympus is a global technology leader, crafting innovative optical and digital solutions in medical technologies; life sciences; industrial solutions; and cameras and audio products. Throughout our nearly 100-year history, Olympus has focused on being true to society and making people’s lives healthier, safer and more fulfilling.

Our Medical Business works with health care professionals to combine our innovative capabilities in medical technology, therapeutic intervention, and precision manufacturing with their skills to deliver diagnostic, therapeutic and minimally invasive procedures to improve clinical outcomes, reduce overall costs and enhance quality of life for patients. For more information, visit medical.olympusamerica.com.

i American Cancer Society. Key statistics for colorectal cancer. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/colon-rectal-cancer/about/key-statistics.html. Accessed February 12, 2019.

ii Fight Colorectal Cancer. Facts and Stats. https://fightcolorectalcancer.org/prevent/about-colorectal-cancer/facts-stats/. Accessed February 12, 2019.

iii Center for Diseases Control. Cancer prevention works: Colorectal cancer screening in the U.S. https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/colorectal/pdf/QuickFacts-BRFSS-2016-CRC-Screening-508.pdf. Accessed February 12, 2019.

iv American Cancer Society. American Cancer Society Updates Colorectal Cancer Screening Guidelines. https://www.cancer.org/latest-news/american-cancer-society-updates-colorectal-cancer-screening-guideline.html. Accessed February 15, 2019.

v Colon Cancer Coalition. Colon Cancer Screening Options. https://coloncancercoalition.org/get-educated/get-screened/colon-cancer-screening-options/. Accessed February 15, 2019.

vi Ngu WS, Bevan R, Tsiamoulos ZP, et al. Improved adenoma detection with Endocuff Vision: the ADENOMA randomised controlled trial. Gut 2019;68:280-288.