March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month: Early Detection SAVES LIVES

Current guidelines: begin colon cancer screening at age 45.

The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends that all people at average risk begin colon and rectal cancer screening at age 45. People at higher risk may need to be screened earlier.  

Why was the screening age lowered?

• In the U.S., about 10% of colorectal cancer cases are diagnosed in individuals under age 50.
• Young-onset rectal cancer incidence has increased at nearly two times the rate of young-onset colon cancer.
• It is predicted that by 2030, colorectal cancer will be the leading cause of cancer deaths in people ages 20-49.

Colorectal cancer screening often focuses on detecting polyps. Pre-cancerous polyps usually take about 10-15 years to develop into cancer. It is vital to find them EARLY before they have a chance to grow, spread and turn deadly, and THEN cause symptoms! 

One woman's story:

"The only risk factor I had was being 55 years old. No family history of colorectal cancer, I had no symptoms, I am physically active and eat a healthy diet. I really did not want a colonoscopy, so I had Cologuard screening instead. It came back positive! My colonoscopy showed three very large, but thankfully pre-cancerous polyps. These were removed and honestly, I believe my life was saved. GET SCREENED!"

Source: American Cancer Society, Colorectal Cancer Alliance