Why Screening for Colon Cancer is SO Important

According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed, and the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S. In 2022, there has been an estimated 106,000 new cases of colon cancer and 44,850 new cases of rectal cancer (American Cancer Society, n.d.). Since the mid 1990’s, there has been a rising incidence of colorectal cancer among younger adults, which has resulted in a lowering of the recommended age for folks to obtain colorectal screenings.

Understanding Colorectal Cancer

Colon cancer is cancer of the large intestine, the end of which is the rectum. Unlike some other cancers, colon cancer can take a prolonged amount of time to develop, often 10-15 years. Colon cancer is often asymptomatic, meaning individuals who have colon cancer frequently experience NO symptoms, highlighting the importance of regular screening. Individuals who do experience symptoms may have blood in the stool, experience weight loss, fatigue, anemia, abdominal pain, or a change in bowel habits (Centers for Disease Control, 2022).

The lifetime risk of colorectal cancer is approximately 1 in 23 (4.3%) for men, and 1 in 25 (4%) for women (American Cancer Society, n.d.). It’s recommended that individuals with an average risk of colorectal cancer begin screenings at age 45, and repeat screenings every 5-10 years. Individuals with average risk are typically those that have no family history of colon cancer or large polyps in the colon, and no history of inflammatory bowel disease (Centers for Disease Control, 2022). Patients should always consult their doctor to obtain the best recommendation based on their unique health history and risk factors.

Screening Options

The gold standard of colorectal screenings is a colonoscopy. A colonoscopy is best performed by a gastroenterologist, and consists of a procedure wherein a long, flexible tube with a camera at the end called a colonoscope is inserted into the rectum and moves through the large intestine to identify any changes, swollen tissue, or polyps in the large intestine tract. You can obtain a referral for a colonoscopy from your primary care provider at your annual preventative wellness exam.

For individuals aged 45 and older with low to average risk of colon cancer, at-home screening kits can be an accessible testing option. At-home kits like Cologuard test for abnormal DNA or blood in a stool sample (Cologuard, n.d.). Once the doctor receives a patient’s Cologuard results, they will discuss them with the patient and recommend when they should undergo a colonoscopy in the future. Patients with a positive test result are immediately referred for a colonoscopy.

References

American Cancer Society. (n.d.). Colorectal cancer statistics: How common is colorectal cancer? American Cancer Society. Retrieved December 18, 2022, from https://www.cancer.org/cancer/colon-rectal-cancer/about/key-statistics.html

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, February 17). What are the symptoms of colorectal cancer? Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved December 18, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/colorectal/basic_info/symptoms.htm

Cologuard. (n.d.). At-home colon cancer screening test: COLOGUARD® patient site. Cologuard® . Retrieved December 18, 2022, from https://www.cologuard.com/