Mississippi coalition unites to boost colorectal cancer screenings, save lives

Published on Friday, March 7, 2025

By: Jewell Davis, jdavis25@umc.edu

Photos By: Joe Ellis/UMMC Photography

Mississippi has the highest rates of colorectal cancer cases and deaths in the nation.

That’s according to the latest findings from the Mississippi Colorectal Cancer Roundtable, which recently presented its 2024 annual report on colorectal cancer prevention efforts to the Mississippi Legislature.

In 2021, the latest year for which data is available, Mississippi had 44.86 new colorectal cancer cases and 18.16 deaths per 100,000 residents. Both numbers are much higher than the national averages of 36.5 cases and 12.8 deaths per 100,000 people.

Early detection through routine screening is the most effective and cost-efficient way to reduce colorectal cancer cases and deaths. In May 2021, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force lowered the recommended CRC screening age from 50 to 45 for individuals at average risk.

In light of that change, Mississippi's colorectal cancer screening rate dropped from 70% in 2020 to 62.5% in 2022.

“Starting colon cancer screening at 45 is vital for early detection, significantly saving lives by preventing the progression to advanced stages and ensuring timely medical intervention. As a state, it is imperative that we not only improve our screening rates but also embark on educational campaigns to raise awareness,” said Dr. Shannon Orr, division chief of surgical oncology at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.

To address the drop in screening rates, the Mississippi Colorectal Cancer Roundtable launched a statewide initiative in 2023 called “Focus on 45.” The campaign aims to raise awareness about the importance of early CRC screening and increase access to life-saving screenings for eligible Mississippians.

To aid in the efforts, Dr. Manju George has been recruited to serve as chair of the Mississippi Colorectal Cancer Roundtable.

“Dr. George’s professional experience as an accomplished scientist and patient advocate, combined with her personal experience as a rectal cancer survivor, make her an ideal candidate for this important role,” said Dr. Leslie Musshafen, associate director of administration at CCRI. “We are honored to have such a passionate and knowledgeable advocate to breathe new life into the roundtable and to lead efforts to combat colorectal cancer for all Mississippians.”   

Aligning with Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, the UMMC Cancer Center and Research Institute, in partnership with the Mississippi Colorectal Cancer Roundtable, Mississippi State Department of Health, and the American Cancer Society, gathered at the state Capitol to address the decline in colorectal cancer screenings.

The event aimed to encourage statewide efforts to improve screening rates and reduce the impact of colorectal cancer. Speakers included Orr, Dr. Dan Edney, executive director of the Mississippi State Department of Health, Amy Ellis with the American Cancer Society and Gerard Gibert, with Venture Technologies and SuperTalk FM.

“Having lost my father to colon cancer at age 56 and having inherited his predisposition to colon cancer, it is unacceptable that Mississippi leads the nation in colon cancer deaths,” Edney said. “This is virtually a preventable disease if everyone has proper access to care and seeks screening. We must do all we can do to reduce the number of preventable deaths attributable to colon cancer.”