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According to the American Cancer Society and the American College of Gastroenterology, for the first time, more than half of the U.S. population - 54% - is covered by state laws that require insurance providers to cover the cost of colon cancer screening tests. Here again is another reason why affordable health insurance can save lives, and money.

According to the article at MSN Health, if all Americans aged 50 and older had regular colon cancer screenings, colorectal cancer deaths could be reduced by as much as 60%; but only half of people at risk for colon cancer get screened for the disease because they don't have access to affordable health insurance.

Those who do have medical coverage and get their screenings are more likely to survive if the disease is found. About 90% of people diagnosed with early-stage colon cancer survive five years, compared with only 10% of patients diagnosed with late-stage colon cancer.

For those people who couldn't or didn't find an affordable health insurance plan, their medical costs will also be higher when it comes time to treat the disease. This is why those who do have medical coverage should always take advantage of that coverage and get as many screenings as their doctor recommends.

Those who don't enjoy the benefits of insurance should shop around aggressively for a plan that offers yearly checkups with doctors, including screenings to catch cancer while it is easiest to treat.