In our community, we show up for each other. We check on our elders. We carry meals
to neighbors. We make sure people get home safe. But we don’t always give ourselves
that same care. Colorectal (colon) cancer doesn’t always announce itself early — and
that’s exactly why screening matters. It’s a chance to act while you feel fine.

As colon cancer awareness month comes to an end, Health Net wants to remind you
that now is the perfect time to get yourself checked out. If you’re African American, this
is very important because Black adults are at a higher risk for cancer than other racial
or ethnic groups in the United States. 1 In fact, colon cancer diagnosis is nearly 20
percent higher and the mortality rate is about 30 percent higher for Black adults
compared with whites.

Black adults can sometimes miss routine screenings because life can get busy –
working parenting or only having time to visit a doctor on weekends when offices are
often closed. Others simply have an earned mistrust of the healthcare system.

Too often, this means colon cancer is found in patients only after symptoms appear. By
then, the disease is not just harder to treat but has lower survival rates. That’s because
late diagnoses can limit care options and patient outcomes. This is no more evident
than the loss of actor Chadwick Boseman, in August of 2020, 3  after he was diagnosed
with late, stage III colon cancer.

Prevention is key

These reasons are why taking steps to prevent colon cancer is so important. Prevention
methods play a major role in finding the cancer before it can take hold and become
serious. Screenings for Black adults should begin at age 45 as that allows us to find
cancer before symptoms start and can even help stop cancer before it begins.

Lower screening rates are a big reason Black adults face higher death rates from colon
cancer. The fact is that many Black adults don’t know when to get screened or what
options are available.

This is why Health Net is working to close these care gaps with an equity-centered
approach to colon cancer screening. We provide coverage that meets our members
where they are – from start to finish. We help our members get screened, treated and supported. This includes coverage for colonoscopy and stool-based tests, with a zero-
dollar copay.

The tests make a big difference. A colonoscopy can remove polyps before they turn into
cancer, while stool-based tests offer a private option. The stool test can be done at
home and can help increase access when a colonoscopy is harder to schedule.

Health Net understands that screening only works when people can complete it. This
not only means access but trust and follow-up as well. We bring colon screening closer
to our members’ homes by partnering with a national vendor to deliver a Cologuard
at‑home screening kits.. These kits are:

– Tailored by race and ethnicity
– Translated into many languages
– Designed to reflect the communities being served

Health Net also teams with Cologuard to use follow-up strategies that include mail, text
and phone outreach after the kits are mailed. Plus, we provide teaching materials that
include QR codes that link to videos in multiple languages. The videos contain varied
levels of health literacy and learning preferences. The key is to constantly keep all of
our Members informed.

Support

Health Net members can get help to schedule doctor visits through Health Net Member
Services. And our provider search tools make it easier to find local doctors and cancer
specialists.

The goal is simple. Earlier screening leads to earlier care. And earlier care saves lives.
If you haven’t already, please schedule a screening today!

1 African Americans and Colorectal Cancer, Colorectal Cancer Alliance, May, 2025
2 Researchers uncover why colorectal cancer rates are higher among Black Americans,
UCLA Newsroom, July 2025
3 Chadwick Boseman’s Cause of Death: How Did the Actor Die? EntertainmentNow.com,
December 19, 2024 (updated article)