Katie Couric, co-host of the Today Show, helped raise awareness of the importance of screening colonoscopy by undergoing one on the air. Behind the scenes, Couric, whose husband died of colon cancer, and other activists accomplished even more by successfully lobbying for Medicare reimbursement of screening colonoscopy. In addition, many states – including Missouri – have passed their own legislation mandating coverage from commercial insurers, including HMOs.

Saint Louis University Hospital takes aim at the resulting high demand for screening colonoscopy with a program that makes the life-saving test convenient and easy to access without a physician's referral.

Consumers can now refer themselves for a screening colonoscopy performed by a nationally ranked specialist in the convenience of the Saint Louis University Hospital Ambulatory Care Center at 1755 South Grand Blvd.  Just one phone call sets an appointment for a test that is covered by Medicare* and could help save their lives.

Colorectal cancer is the second most common cause of cancer deaths in men and women in the United States. The disease takes more lives each year than breast cancer or prostate cancer. Each year, nearly 150,000 people learn they have colorectal cancer. Usually they are men and women over the age of 50. If caught early enough and promptly treated, however, 90 percent of colon cancer cases survive more than five years.

Saint Louis University Hospital offers advanced technology for screening colonoscopy. SLUCare digestive disease specialists, ranked among the best in the nation by U.S.News & World Report, perform the test. Also available nearby are nationally ranked SLUCare specialists in cancer treatment and geriatric medicine.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, visit the SLUCare web site at www.slucare.edu or call us at (314) 268-5880 (toll-free at 1-800-268-5880).

* per Medicare rules, a co-pay may apply.