Colon Cancer Alliance

Olympus/Lewin Group Report on Projected Gastroenterologist Shortage

The United States will face a severe shortage of gastroenterologists as the population ages and the demand for colorectal screening increases, a new study has shown. At current rates of cancer screening, the United States will need an additional 1,050 gastroenterologists by 2020, according to the study by The Lewin Group. If colorectal cancer screening rates were to increase by 10 percent, the nation would need as many as 1,550 additional gastroenterologists by that time, the firm found. There are currently 10,390 practicing gastroenterologists in the United States, according to the report. The study was commissioned by Olympus Corporation of the Americas, which manufactures cameras and devices used to screen for colorectal cancer, but was reviewed by a panel of outside experts. Olympus proposes federal legislation, the GI bill for GI's which would provide medical institutions money to develop programs to motivate medical school fellows to choose gastroenterology. The fellows, who would also receive financial assistance would agree to serve an underprivileged community for 3 years. The legislation and study can be viewed at: http://www.olympusamerica.com/crcadvocacy.

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