The report recommended that prisons establish a regular screening process and emphasize participation.
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- According to an inspector’s report, less than two-thirds of prisoners at average risk of colon cancer were offered annual screening.
- According to the report, as of April 2024, less than half of inmates had been screened annually.
- Famous spy Robert Hansen died of colorectal cancer despite lack of diagnosis.
WASHINGTON – The Federal Bureau of Prisons does not screen most prisoners for colon cancer, and treatment is often lacking even positive test results, according to a WatchDog report released on May 20.
A report from a Department of Justice inspector found that fewer than two-thirds of average-risk prisoners were offered annual screening, and less than half had them, as medical professionals actually recommended for the common form of cancer.
The department, which houses more than 150,000 inmates convicted of federal crimes, agreed to the report’s recommendations to improve care on May 20, and said it would work to implement them.
“The department recognizes the importance of timely colorectal cancer screening,” the department said in a letter replying to the report. “The 5-year survival rate for colorectal cancer with early detection of LF is 90%, and survival rates drop sharply and can be caught later.”
Reports on one of the most common forms of cancer attracted more attention to screening and treatment days after former President Joe Biden was diagnosed with prostate cancer.
Colonoscopy has been delayed for several months: Report
Apart from skin cancer, colon cancer is the third most common cancer behind lung cancer and the prostate. According to the American Cancer Society, screens with stool tests are recommended for 45-74 people each year. It is believed that colonoscopy is supposed to follow a fetal examination, as this helps identify growths called polyps before cancer occurs. The Prison Health Department aims to complete colonoscopy within three months of positive screening, but inspectors have found that the average waiting time is eight months. Of the 327 sampled, eight had waited for more than 18 months.
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Inspector Michael Horowitz said despite the results of multiple positive screenings, he has never received a colonoscopy or cancer diagnosis.
Another prisoner, Frederick Bardel, passed away in February 2021 after spreading Colon cancer nine days after his compassionate release from prison. He had reported blood in his stool while in prison, but according to the report, it occurred weeks or months after multiple appointments for follow-up care were intended.
Less than two-thirds of inmates in average risk screening: Reports
Less than two-thirds of nearly 38,000 prisoners with an average risk age of 45-74 were offered annual colorectal screening, according to the report. According to the report, as of April 2024, less than half of the screenings were annually.
Inspectors sampled the results of 327 prisoners, finding that 10% had no follow-up after a positive screening.
The inspector’s report stated that these shortcomings “will be at a high risk for inmates, potentially lower clinical outcomes and significantly increase BOP medical costs.”
Recommendations should seek consistent screening and encourage participation
Inspector recommendations for improving care include:
- Establish a consistent process to provide screenings to all at-risk inmates.
- Distribution of screening responsibility. Employees at several facilities said that someone was assigned to conduct screenings led to more successful programs.
- Educate prisoners about the risk of not participating in screening. The inmates did not refuse to screen when educated about health risks, the report said.
- Consider the type of test used. Inmates preferred what they called medicinal or diet-free fecal immunochemical tests, according to the report.
