Colorectal cancer is the third-most common cancer in both men and women and the third-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the U.S. But with proper screening and treatment, the chances of a full recovery are very good.
The best screening test is the one that you and your trusted health care provider determine is best — and the one that you will do. Talk to your doctor about your risk and screening options.
The Risk Levels
Average Risk
The risk of colorectal cancer varies for everyone.
You are at average risk if:
- You are at least 45 years of age.
- You have none of the major risk factors listed here.
Increased Risk
You are at increased risk if:
- Your family by birth has a history of colorectal cancer or advanced pre-cancer polyps.
- You have had colorectal cancer or polyps that increase cancer risk.
- You have either one of these inflammatory bowel diseases:
- Ulcerative colitis
- Crohn’s colitis
High Risk
You are at high risk if:
- You have one of these hereditary cancer syndromes:
- Lynch syndrome
- Polyposis syndromes, such as classical and attenuated familial adenomatous polyposis
Screening Before 45
You may need to be screened before you are 45.
Talk to your doctor about whether you should start colorectal cancer screening before age 45. The number of people diagnosed with this cancer under the age of 50 is increasing. Report symptoms to your provider.
Symptoms may include:
- A change in bowel habits that lasts for more than a few days
- Feeling you need to have a bowel movement that’s not relieved by having one
- Rectal bleeding with bright red blood
- Blood in the stool, which might make the stool look dark brown or black
- Cramping or abdominal pain
- Weakness and fatigue
- Unintended weight loss
Screening Options
When it comes to screening, you have two options, visual screening and stool-based tests.
Visual Screenings
Visual screening options include:
- Colonoscopies, which are recommended every 10 years
- Virtual colonoscopies called CT colonography testing, which are recommended every five years
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy (FWIG) testing, which is recommended every five years
Stool-Based Tests
Stool-based tests include:
- The Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT), which is recommended every year
- Immunological fecal occult blood testing (iFOB)
- Multi-targeted DNA testing (MT-sDNA), which is recommended every three years
Stool tests are not as good as visual tests at finding polyps that become cancer. Polyps can be removed during a colonoscopy, which prevents them from becoming cancer. If you are screened with a test other than a colonoscopy, follow up any abnormal test result with a colonoscopy within 10 months.
Colorectal cancer rarely causes symptoms in its early stages and often develops over years. However, having regular colonoscopies can prevent this disease. These exams can be done with a referral at Enloe’s Digestive Health or Colorectal and General Surgery clinics. Learn more about this condition and colon cancer treatment options.
About 1 in 8 women in the U.S. and 1 in 883 men will get breast cancer in their lifetime. Finding it early gives you the best chance of successful breast cancer treatment, so it’s important to know how your chest looks and feels normally.
Talk to your provider immediately if you notice changes, and let him or her know if you have a family history of breast cancer. It’s also important to get a mammogram regularly.
- If you’re 40-44, you can do so every year.
- If you’re 45-54, you should get an exam every year.
- If you’re 55 or older, get a mammogram every other year unless your care team recommends annual examinations.
According to the World Health Organization, cervical cancer is the fourth-most common cancer among women. In the next year alone, it’s expected that about 14,100 new cases of invasive cervical cancer will be diagnosed. To help prevent cervical cancer or find it early, regular Pap screenings are recommended for women beginning at the age of 21.
Talk to your doctor about cervical cancer and whether regular Pap tests are recommended for you.
Besides skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most-common cancer among men in the U.S. About 1 in 9 men will get this condition during his lifetime. Routine prostate cancer screening is not recommended for all men. However, research has found that screening can be helpful.
Talk to your doctor about this cancer, starting at age 45. If you’re African-American or have close relatives who had prostate cancer before age 65, discuss testing with your provider at age 40. There are several prostate cancer treatment options.
At ages 50-80, discuss annual, low-dose CT scans of your chest with your doctor if you’re a heavy smoker, currently smoke or quit in the last 15 years.
Check your skin monthly. Tell your provider if spots change in size, shape or color. Ask for a skin exam as a part of your regular checkups.
