Cancer screening advice: Avoid the confusing colonoscopy headlines

If you're 45 or older, you may have had a colonoscopy or have had a conversation with your physician about being screened for colorectal cancer. However, recent headlines began calling into question the effectiveness of colonoscopies.

Dr. Franklin Berger, director of research & outreach for the Colorectal Cancer Prevention Network at the University of South Carolina, was not happy with what he read and recently wrote a response for The Conversation which you can read here:

Colonoscopy is still the most recommended screening for colorectal cancer, despite conflicting headlines and flawed interpretations of a new study.

In this episode of the Behind the Headlines podcast, Dr. Berger discusses his article, the importance of colonoscopies, the reasoning behind the lower age threshold for the procedure as well as alternative, less invasive screening methods.

—This episode is hosted by Terry Lipshetz, senior producer at Lee Enterprises.

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Behind the Headlines features interviews with reporters and editors from newspapers owned by Lee Enterprises, including its Public Service Journalism team. Lee Enterprises is a leading provider of local news and information, and a major platform for advertising, with daily newspapers, rapidly-growing digital products, marketing services, innovative technology and nearly 350 weekly and specialty publications serving 77 markets in 26 states.