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March is Colorectal Health Awareness Month

Colon Cancer Screening: Is an at-home test right for you?

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, the perfect time to learn more about one of the most common forms of cancer you can get and how to prevent it. According to the American Cancer Society, nearly 150,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with this disease each year, yet it’s highly curable when caught early.

Screening can save your life. According to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF):

  • Colorectal cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer death for both men and women.
  • It’s most frequently diagnosed in people ages 65 to 74 but approximately 10.5% of new cases occur in those younger than 50.
  • In fact, colorectal cancer in adults ages 40 to 49 has increased by nearly 15% in recent years.
  • About one of every three adults eligible for screening isn’t up to date with these important tests.

For people who have symptoms that could be caused by colorectal cancer or who are at increased risk because they have a family history of colorectal cancer or they have conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease, regular colonoscopies are recommended as the most sensitive and comprehensive test available for detecting colon cancer. A colonoscopy is an in-office procedure that takes 30 to 60 minutes and requires bowel preparation the day before, but it’s worth it as it identifies at least 95% of cancers. It’s recommended at age 45 and every 10 years thereafter (until age 75) if no precancerous growths called polyps are found.

However, for most people at average risk of colorectal cancer, it’s reasonable to use an alternative screening method particularly an at-home screening test. Discuss these options with your primary care provider to see which one is right for you.

A stool DNA test (Cologuard) detects cell changes or blood in the stool that may be caused by cancer or precancerous polyps that could turn into cancer. A colonoscopy uses a flexible tube with a light and a small video camera at one end to examine the entire length of the rectum and colon. This procedure can help find cancer at an early stage before it has spread, and can prevent cancer from developing by removing any suspicious-looking polyps.

Remember there’s no single “best test.” Talk to your doctor about the pros and cons of each and see what they recommend. Picking the right option depends on your preferences, your risk factors, the resources you have available and more. The most important thing is simply getting screened.

For information about colon cancer screening, visit here. 

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Useful links:

  1. Screening for Colon Cancer: Know Your Options | Aetna
  2. Know Your Colorectal Cancer Screening Options - Connect Community - BCBSIL
  3. Don’t Give Cancer a Chance.indd (healthlink.com)
  4. What is a Colorectal Cancer Screening? | MinuteClinic (cvs.com)
  5. Heart Health Care and Services | CVS Health
  6. Will Medicare Cover Your Colon Cancer Screening? (aarp.org)