March is National Colon Cancer Awareness Month

March is designated as National Colon Cancer Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about the importance of screening, prevention, and early detection of colorectal cancer. This month is about spreading the word and encouraging people to get screened, as early detection can significantly improve treatment outcomes.

Did you know that colorectal cancer is one of the most preventable types of cancer? Regular screenings and a healthy lifestyle can make a huge difference.

The recommended screening guidelines for colon cancer are as follows:

1.      Age to Start Screening: Most people should begin screening for colorectal cancer at age 45. This is a recent update from the previous recommendation of starting at age 50.

2.      Screening Tests: There are several types of screening tests available:

• Stool-based tests:

  • Fecal immunochemical test (FIT) every year.

  • Guaiac-based fecal occult blood test (gFOBT) every year.

  • Multi-targeted stool DNA test (FIT-DNA) every 3 years.

Visual (structural) exams:

• Colonoscopy every 10 years.

• CT colonography (virtual colonoscopy) every 5 years.

• Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years.

3.      High-Risk Individuals: People at increased or high risk for colorectal cancer may need to start screening before age 45 and may need to be screened more often. This includes individuals with:

• A personal or family history of colorectal cancer or certain types of polyps.

• A history of inflammatory bowel disease (such as Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis).

• A genetic syndrome such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or Lynch syndrome3.

4.      Frequency of Screening: The frequency of screening depends on the type of test used and individual risk factors. For example, a colonoscopy is typically done every 10 years for those at average risk, while stool-based tests are done more frequently.

It's important to discuss with your healthcare provider which screening test is right for you and how often you should be screened based on your personal risk factors.