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Colorectal cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer death in the United States, but you can catch it early and even prevent it entirely. Here’s what you need to know about screening
Only about 61% of adults aged 45 to 75 are up to date with colorectal cancer screening, falling short of national health goals. If you’re one of the millions who haven’t been screened, now’s the time to talk with your doctor.
Incidence and Survival
About one in 25 people will develop colorectal cancer in their lifetime, and about 20% of those will be under age 55. However, it’s important to understand that when you find this cancer early, you have an excellent chance of beating it.
“When caught early, 90% of those who are diagnosed will cure their colon cancer,” says Dr. Stewart Decker, clinical wellness officer and medical director, Sky Lakes Wellness Center. “Whereas if it’s not caught early, the number is much lower.” That’s why colorectal cancer screening is so important, even if you feel perfectly healthy.
Screening Starts Younger Now
If you’re 45 or older, it’s time to get screened. The recommended screening age recently dropped from 50 to 45 because more younger people are getting colorectal cancer.
“We realized that more people are getting it younger,” Decker explains. “We think that that’s largely because of dietary changes, namely our more modern diet, namely in processed foods, red meats, low fiber, inactivity, alcohol use, and obesity.”
Decker adds that if someone in your immediate family had colorectal cancer before age 55, you should start screening even earlier — about 10 years before the age when your family member was diagnosed.
You Have Options
You don’t have to get a colonoscopy if that idea makes you nervous. Decker notes that several other screening options work equally well:
- Colonoscopy: Done every 10 years. Doctors can find and remove polyps (precancerous growths) during the procedure.
- FIT test: A simple at-home stool test done every year. It looks for blood in your stool.
- Cologuard: A DNA-based stool test done every three years. It looks for cancer-related DNA and blood.
- Blood test: A new option, done every 10 years, that looks for cancer biomarkers.
“Because they’re all essentially equivalent,” Decker says, “oftentimes the doctor will have a conversation with the patient. They’ll say, these are the options; what do you think works best for you?”
Why Screening Works So Well
Colorectal cancer usually starts as a polyp, a small growth in your colon. It takes years for most polyps to turn into cancer, which gives you time to catch and remove them.
“If you catch colon cancer early, it is very, very easy to treat,” Decker notes. “It’s as simple as destroying a polyp.”
But if you don’t catch it early, treatment becomes much harder. The colon is thin and close to many other organs, so cancer can spread quickly. That’s why early detection makes such a huge difference.
Screening has reduced colorectal cancer deaths by 50%, and the death rate continues to drop by about 1.5% each year in older adults.
Watch for Warning Signs
Decker says you should get screened at age 45, even without symptoms. But certain signs mean you should see your doctor right away:
- Blood in your stool
- Stools that are getting progressively thinner
- New ongoing diarrhea after age 50
- Unexplained weight loss or fatigue
- Waking up at night to have a bowel movement
Take Action Now
Most insurance plans cover colorectal cancer screening with no out-of-pocket costs. Don’t wait for symptoms, because by then, the cancer may already be advanced. Get screened now and give yourself the best chance of staying healthy.
