YourHealthMatters : Colon Cancer Screening
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Colorectal cancer is cancer that starts in the colon or the rectum. The colon is the large intestine or the large bowel. The colon is part of the digestive system, which processes food for energy and absorbs fluid to form solid waste that passes from the body. Early detection of colon cancer through colon cancer screening can save lives. Regular screening can often find colon cancer early, when it is most likely to be curable. In many cases, screening can also prevent colon cancer altogether.

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Who is at risk for colon cancer?

According to the American Cancer Society, 1 in 19 men and 1 in 20 women get colon cancer.
Risk factors include:

  • Older age: According to the American Cancer Society, 9 out of 10 people diagnosed with colon cancer are older than 50.
  • Racial backgrounds: African Americans are at a higher risk for getting colon cancer than any other racial group in the United States.
  • Family history of colorectal polyps (growth on the surface of the colon) or colon cancer
  • People with type 2 diabetes
  • People with a diet high in red meat and processed foods
  • Being overweight or obese
  • Not exercising enough
  • Smoking
  • Drinking too much alcohol

Why is colon cancer screening important?

colon_cancer_screening_learn-details.jpg When colon cancer is found early, there is a much better chance it can be successfully treated. There are many ways to check for colon cancer. No single test is best for everyone.

What is the recommended care?

Checking people over the age of 50 for colon cancer helps save lives. Colon cancer screening is the process of looking for colon cancer in people who have no symptoms. Several different tests can be used to screen for colon cancer. Your doctor should tell you how often you need a test to check for colon cancer, based on your personal risk factors.

What tests are available?

Three tests are available to detect precancerous polyps and colon cancer. Talk with your doctor about which test is right for you.

  • A colonoscopy is a procedure that involves having a fiber optic camera inserted into the colon through the rectum, allowing health care providers to see the entire colon. If a polyp is found, health care providers remove it, before the polyp becomes cancerous.
  • A fecal occult blood test looks for hidden blood in the stool. A positive result could indicate colon cancer, though this test does not directly detect polyps or colon cancer.
  • Flexible sigmoidoscopy provides a view of only half the colon.

To learn more about the screening tests available, visit the American Cancer Society.