ORLANDO — Evidence of successful efforts in colon cancer prevention exist; however, the increasing incidence among a younger population is alarming and continued efforts are needed to combat the incidence and mortality associated with this devastating disease, according to a lecturer at the World Congress of Gastroenterology at ACG 2017.

“Progress has been made — we have seen a real increase in colorectal screening rates from about 30% in 2000, when Katie Couric first went on the air as a public advocate and when the first roundtable was formed, to more than 70% in certain places across the United States,” Mark B. Pochapin, MD, FACG, of the NYU Langone Medical Center, said during The Emily Couric Memorial Lecture. “This is something that has given me the most gratification — knowing that our efforts are working.”