LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer deaths in people under 50, and rates among adults aged 20 to 49 are climbing roughly 3% each year. Doctors say early detection is the key to survival.
Anthony Restivo, a fire artist known as the Father of Fire, performs at Excalibur’s Tournament of Kings on the Las Vegas Strip. He said that five years ago, during the pandemic, he noticed changes in his stool but put off seeing a doctor while the world was shut down.
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Now 55, Restivo recently had his first colonoscopy. Doctors discovered two polyps.
“I feel like if I would have done this at 50 or 51 or 52, I wouldn’t be in the situation that I’m in now,” Restivo said. “But if I would have waited another year or two, it could have been detrimental. So now we’re at an early part of it where we can fight and we can take care of it.”
Why early screening matters
Gastroenterologist Dr. Tarek Ammar now recommends adults get their first colonoscopy at age 45.
“Unfortunately, when people start having symptoms, it’s too late and we need to detect it far in advance,” Ammar said. “Stage two, 75% of people will beat that cancer. But if it’s too late, stage four colon cancer is 12% survival, which is pretty dismal.”
Fast-track screening now available
Sunrise Health System has launched a program aimed at making it easier for younger adults to get screened quickly. The Direct Screen Colonoscopy Program — also called FastPass — allows most adults to schedule screenings at an ambulatory surgery center without a primary care referral.
“The FastPass program is just a fantastic program because it cuts all the red tape,” Ammar said. “You go straight to colonoscopy.”
The Direct Screen Colonoscopy Program is available to qualifying adults beginning at age 45. Most insurance plans cover preventive colonoscopy screenings.
Restivo said he wishes he had taken advantage of the program sooner.
“You can’t imagine how important getting a colonoscopy is,” he said. “I feel like we’re in an early stage where we can take care of it and make some positive movement forward towards getting it out of my body.”
Participating FastPass surgery centers
- Comprehensive Digestive Surgery Center — 8440 W. Warm Springs Rd., Las Vegas, NV 89113 | (702) 970-2383
- Sahara Surgery Center — 2401 Paseo Del Prado, Las Vegas, NV 89102 | (702) 362-7874
- Specialty Surgery Center — 7250 Cathedral Rock Dr., Las Vegas, NV 89128 | (702) 933-3999
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