From My Desk: Don’t Wait for a Crisis

I know firsthand that being well-prepared makes all the difference. One lesson life has taught me is this: you cannot wait for a crisis before you act.

That truth is especially important when it comes to our health. We only get one body, and taking care of it isn’t complicated—it’s the basics: eating right, staying active, keeping doctor’s appointments, and staying up to date with recommended screenings.

Unfortunately, many Connecticut adults are falling behind. About 25 percent of average-risk residents are not current on colorectal cancer (CRC) screening, contributing to more than half of diagnoses being caught at a late stage, and that matters.

When caught early, CRC has a 91 percent five-year survival rate. But when detected late, that rate can drop to as low as 13 percent. Early detection can save your life.

Barriers to screening are real. Traditional options can feel invasive, time-consuming, and require time off work—something not everyone can afford. But avoiding screening comes at a much higher cost.

The good news is that medical innovation is making screening easier. New options, like a simple blood test, are now available and covered by major providers, making it more accessible for many people.

For example, the FDA-approved Shield test allows you to test for CRC with only a simple blood draw. Shield is approved as a first-line option for screening for the disease for anyone aged 45 and up at average risk for CRC, and can be added to any standard blood panel with your primary care physician. The test is available in Connecticut and is covered by Medicare, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Community Care Network, and, most recently, TRICARE. Now, eligible active-duty service members and their families can receive the test with no copay alongside veterans and their families. 

My hope is that every resident in Connecticut stays healthy and strong, but that requires action. Talk to your doctor about colorectal cancer screening. Preventive care is one of the simplest ways to protect your future.

Don’t wait for a crisis—act now.



Rev. Dr. John Cotten, Jr. 

Senior Pastor of New Hope Worship Center

President & Founder of Helping Our People Excel, Inc.