In a newly updated recommendation, the American Cancer Society suggests people start their screening for colon cancer at 45, not 50.
Recent studies have shown increasing rates of colon cancer in younger people.
According to colorectal surgeon Karin Hardiman, M.D, Ph.D., colon and rectal cancer are the fastest growing cancers in people under age 50.
Many younger patients have never had a colonoscopy, even though they have severe symptoms like bleeding.
The researcher suggests that earlier screening test may help detect colon cancers before patients experience symptoms.
Moreover, colonoscopy can help prevent about 90% of colon cancer cases because it can find suspicious polyps and guide doctors to remove them.
The new guidelines suggest that any people with symptoms such as bleeding, pain or changes in bowel habits, should talk with their doctor about a colonoscopy.
The guidelines also suggest people at high risk of colon cancer start their colonoscopy test early.
High-risk factors include a personal history of colon cancer or certain types of polyps, personal history of inflammatory bowel diseases, family history of colon cancer, hereditary colorectal cancer syndrome, and personal history of radiation to the abdomen or pelvic area to treat prior cancer.
People with an average risk of colon cancer need to do a regular screening.
They can do a high‐sensitivity stool‐based test or a structural (visual) examination.
The test options include fecal immunochemical test; high‐sensitivity, guaiac‐based fecal occult blood test; multitarget stool DNA test; colonoscopy; computed tomography colonography; and flexible sigmoidoscopy.
If you get a positive result from screening tests other than colonoscopy, you need to be followed up with timely colonoscopy.
The guidelines also suggest that older people in good health with a life expectancy of more than 10 years should continue screening at age 75.
The screening decisions for healthy people between 76-85 should be based on many factors, including personal preferences, life expectancy, health status, and previous screening history.
People older than age 85 at average risk for colon cancer do not need screening.
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