Among cancers that affect both men and women, colorectal cancer—cancer of the colon or rectum—is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. Colorectal cancer also is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in the United States. The risk of developing colorectal cancer increases with advancing age. More than 90% of cases occur in people aged 50 or older.
Colorectal cancer screening saves lives. However, many people who are at risk for the disease are not being screened according to national guidelines. It is estimated that as many as 60% of colorectal cancer deaths could be prevented if all men and women aged 50 years or older were screened routinely. In most cases, colorectal cancer develops from precancerous polyps (abnormal growths) in the colon or rectum. Screening tests can find precancerous polyps, so that they can be removed before they turn into cancer. Screening tests also can find colorectal cancer early, when treatment works best. The most effective way to reduce your risk is by having regular colorectal cancer screening tests beginning at age 50.
You should begin screening for colorectal cancer soon after turning 50, then continue getting screened at regular intervals. However, you may need to be tested earlier or more often than other people if:
You or a close relative have had colorectal polyps or colorectal cancer; or
You have inflammatory bowel disease.
If you are aged 50 or older, or think you may be at increased risk for colorectal cancer, speak with your doctor about getting screened.
Several tests are available to screen for colorectal cancer. Some are used alone; others are used in combination with each other. Talk with your doctor about which test or tests are best for you. These screening tests are recommended by the USPSTF:
Colonoscopy (every 10 years).
High-sensitivity fecal occult blood test (FOBT) (every year).
Flexible sigmoidoscopy (every 5 years)
(from the CDC website http://www.cdc.gov/Features/ColorectalAwareness/)
I recommend for my patients colonoscopy every ten years as this is both screening (looking for problems) and treatment (removing polyps, for instance) if needed. Also, if you have a strong family history of colon cancer and/or uterine cancer, we may offer you genetic testing for HNPCC (hereditary non-polyposis colon cancer) which carries an increased risk of both colon and uterine cancer.
