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Marianne Moore is in her fourth term in the Maine Senate and serves as the Republican lead on the Health and Human Services Committee. She also served locally as a city councilor and mayor of Calais. She served as the Washington County Cancer Patient Navigator and facilitated a breast cancer support group in the Calais area.
As an Air Force “brat,” I’ve been lucky enough to live in many wonderful areas of the U.S. and Japan, though Maine will always be home. Nothing compares to the fall in Maine — the serenity of the mountains, an afternoon hike along the water. Despite its beauty, Maine’s rural environment presents unique challenges for healthcare access: long drives to clinics, limited local providers and competing family or work responsibilities.
Too often, these obstacles delay care until it’s too late. When screenings are postponed, cancers that could have been detected early and treated effectively become much more dangerous and costly to address.
In my years helping Mainers navigate cancer diagnoses — as one of Washington County’s cancer patient navigators and the facilitator of a local breast cancer support group in Calais — I have heard countless stories of people facing cancer with courage and determination, and far too many who discovered their disease too late. These experiences reinforce that early detection saves lives. Outcomes improve significantly when people have the right information, access and support.
When breast cancer is detected early, it has a 99% five-year relative survival rate. For localized colon cancer, the five-year survival rate is 91%. These figures aren’t just statistics; they represent our family members and neighbors who are able to live longer, healthier lives because they caught their cancer early.
Unfortunately, many Mainers still miss out on important screenings. The reasons vary: transportation issues, a shortage of local providers, fear of the procedure or simply not realizing they are due for a test. In rural areas such as Washington County, where distances are long and resources are limited, these problems can be even more severe. Tackling them requires a combination of innovation, outreach and community support.
I feel hopeful because, for colorectal cancer, the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, we now have more tools than ever to detect the disease early.
The Food and Drug Administration recently approved a new blood test for primary colorectal cancer screening for those at average risk called Shield, which is covered by Medicare and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Community Care Network (CCN). For Mainers who might delay traditional methods, including colonoscopies, blood-based tests like this could provide a life-saving alternative. While these are not intended to replace traditional methods, such as the colonoscopy or stool-based tests, expanding options helps more people get screened.
When patients have choices that match their needs and comfort levels, screening rates go up, and survival rates increase. Another factor in increasing screening rates and Americans’ access to the latest innovations is thanks to the recently updated guidelines from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) to align with the latest technological advancements and include blood-based tests. The state of Maine’s statutes recognize the most recently published colorectal cancer screening guidelines of a national cancer society, including NCCN.
Importantly, awareness starts with conversations. Talk with your doctor about the screenings you need, encourage your loved ones to schedule appointments and remind friends that prevention is one of our most powerful tools. Taking this step might seem small; however, it can truly change someone’s life path.
Cancer touches every family, every community and every corner of our state. This fight unites us. I’m proud to have worked with Susan G. Komen, the world’s leading breast cancer organization, to introduce legislation to lessen the financial barriers to critical diagnostic imaging for women in Maine. I am dedicated to furthering policies and technologies that help make all types of cancer screenings more accessible for our communities.
With greater awareness, new tools and a shared commitment to early detection, we can save more lives. The first step in fighting cancer is simple: getting screened.
