When Should I Have a Colon Cancer Screening?

In contrast to most other cancers, colon cancer typically does not exhibit many symptoms until it has progressed.

Screening examinations can detect cancer when it is small and has not yet spread. Options for treatment may include surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy.

Regular examinations also aid in the detection of precancerous polyps. These can be eliminated before the development of malignancy.

Screening between 50 and 75 is generally recommended to prevent colon cancer. A stool test (annually or every ten years) or an examination of the colon and rectum can be used for screening.

Colorectal cancer can be life-threatening, but it is often preventable and treatable. A colonoscopy is the primary screening and treatment method.

If precancerous lesions are detected by screening, they can be removed during the exam. The patient can then return for routine screenings.

However, many individuals are unwilling to undergo a colonoscopy. This is because the procedure requires sedation, can be costly, and frequently involves threading a catheter throughout the colon.

A flexible, lighted tube (colonoscope) is inserted into the rectum to look for precancerous lesions or cancer during a colonoscopy. They can remove these growths before they become cancerous, thus preventing the disease and its complications.

A new U.S. directive has been issued. According to the Preventive Services Task Force, people at ordinary risk should begin screening for colorectal cancer at age 45 rather than waiting until age 50. According to health experts, this modification was made because the incidence of colon cancer in younger adults is rising.

After lung cancer, colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer fatalities in the United States. It can affect people of any age. The best method to prevent this cancer is to avoid high-risk foods, such as processed meats and sugary beverages. In addition to a healthy diet and regular exercise, this can be prevented by maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Colon cancer is one of the most preventable diseases, so getting screened for it at a young age is essential. Without symptoms, people can develop precancerous polyps or colon cancer. A colonoscopy is the most accurate method to detect and remove it before it can spread to other parts of the body.

The new USPSTF recommendation is consistent with the 2018 American Cancer Society guidelines. Those at average risk for colon cancer should commence screening at 45 years of age.

FIT (fecal immunochemical test) or gFOBT (glucose oral glucose breath test) tests can be used for screening. (guaiac-based fecal occult blood test). These assays look for colorectal cancer cells in a single stool sample. Additional tests, such as a CT colonography or flexible sigmoidoscopy, are advised if the test is affirmative.

You may be surprised to discover that over one-fourth of Americans have never been screened for colon cancer, a highly preventable condition. Recent recommendations from the American Cancer Society state that adults without a family history of the disease should commence screening at age 45, though individual risk factors must be considered.

A colonoscopy is an examination of the large intestine and rectum that can detect precancerous polyps that can be removed before they become cancerous. It is the gold standard for screening for colon cancer.

Avoiding smoking, alcohol, red meat, high-fat dairy products, and processed foods can prevent colon cancer. These risk factors can also be mitigated by maintaining a healthy weight and consuming fiber-rich foods.