The American Cancer Society lowered its recommended colon cancer screening age from 50 to 45 last year. Today, young-onset colorectal cancer survivor and business leader, Scott Wilson, is leading efforts in Colorado to mandate this age reduction and require insurance companies to cover colonoscopy costs beginning at age 45. The facts are that there is an ever-increasing number of cases of colorectal cancer in younger individuals. It’s not known why.
The likelihood of someone born in 1990 developing colorectal cancer has doubled
Wilson, who heads corporate affairs at Molson Coors Brewing Company, was diagnosed with Stage IV metastatic colon cancer at 48. Treatment has included colon and liver surgeries, 40 weeks of aggressive chemotherapy, and ongoing surveillance. He serves on the national board of the Washington, D.C., based Colorectal Cancer Alliance and Never Too Young Advisory Board, and is an integral part of the Blue Hope Bash and Denver Undy RunWalk. In addition, Scott authored the photo book Through the Window—A Photographic Tale of Cancer Recovery (https://www.ccalliance.org/shop/books/through-the-window) that depicts his journey to recovery over cancer. All proceeds are donated to the Colorectal Cancer Alliance.
Scott recently presented before state legislators to garner support for a 2020 bill to reduce Colorado’s covered average risk screening age for colorectal cancer to 45, in line with American Cancer Society guidelines. The bill already has two primary sponsors. With his permission, we are pleased to share his Colorado Cancer Coalition presentation with you.
