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Colorectal cancer is now the leading cause of cancer-related death among adults under 50—making early detection and screenings more important than ever. Dr. Noah Kersey explains it like this: “Our goal with screening is to catch and treat cancers before they cause symptoms because it's usually much more treatable when caught early.”
That’s why the US Multisociety Task Force on Colorectal Cancer recommends starting regular colorectal cancer screenings at age 45. But if you have a family history or other risks, these screenings should begin sooner. Here are two common screening options that we recommend to patients.
The primary screening method for colorectal cancer is a colonoscopy. This is an exam used to look for irritated tissues, polyps, or other signs of cancer in the large intestine and rectum. During a colonoscopy, a doctor uses a long, flexible tube called a colonoscope with a tiny video camera attached to examine the entire colon.
This exam requires three days of strict diet changes leading up to the procedure, with instructions provided by the doctor. Patients are also often under a level of sedation, so transportation from the appointment must be arranged. But other than that, a colonoscopy is a straightforward exam that only takes 30-60 minutes.
A colonoscopy is the most thorough screening exam and can detect abnormalities quite early. “The great thing about colonoscopy is if pre-cancerous polyps are found and removed, we can actually prevent colorectal cancer from developing at all in many cases,” says Dr. Kersey. “This is the main reason why a colonoscopy is the preferred screening method. Although stool testing options can detect some pre-cancerous polyps, they're much more likely to only become positive once cancer has already formed.”
It is recommended that patients with normal results have a colonoscopy every 10 years. However, if polyps or other abnormal tissues are discovered, biopsies can be taken during the procedure to test for colorectal cancer. Your care team will discuss with you how often you should have a colonoscopy based on your results.
Fecal Immunochemical Test (FIT) is an at-home test that requires little-to-no preparation. FIT tests for hidden blood in patients’ stool, which can be an early sign of cancer.
This exam isn’t entirely comprehensive and a positive result will require a follow-up diagnostic colonoscopy. Since this test is less comprehensive than a colonoscopy, it is recommended to be done annually.
The FIT that Community provides is a water-based test using toilet water after a single bowel movement, meaning that stool collection or handling is not required.
If you are unsure if you should be screened for colon cancer, take this quick online assessment to learn when you should be checked:
