If you are 45, it is time to get your colon checked.
For decades, 50 was the recommended age to begin colorectal cancer screenings. When data showed an uptick in deaths in younger people, experts lowered that recommendation to 45 in people who have an average risk.
“Patients are somewhat surprised by the drop in the screening age,” said Community Care Network gastroenterologist Mark Fesenmyer, MD. “Many people were aware of the age 50 recommendation but haven’t heard or didn’t know about the drop to age 45.”
The new guidelines were established after deaths from colorectal cancer rose among young and middle-aged people. Between 2008 and 2017, colorectal cancer deaths in those under age 55 increased 1 percent each year, even though the number of cases steadily declined during the same timeframe.
“Colon cancer is the third most common cancer in both men and women,” Fesenmyer said. “There is no ‘low risk’ category that allows someone to forgo screening or begin screening at a later age. Some people who have certain risk factors should start before age 45.”
Those factors include having a family history of colon cancer (particularly in a parent or sibling), having a personal history of colon polyps, ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease or having a genetic syndrome that increases your risk for colon cancer.
“If a patient has an immediate family member with colon cancer, screening should start at age 40, or it should start 10 years before the age at which the family member was diagnosed, whichever is earlier,” Fesenmyer said. “Colon cancer is common and is preventable with timely screening.”
Most patients do not experience symptoms early on, when the cancer is most treatable.
“If a patient has symptoms that might suggest colon cancer, such as bleeding, a change in the shape or size of their stool, change in the frequency of bowel movements, abdominal pain or bloating, they need to speak with their physician to determine if further testing is needed,” he said.
Risk factors
Some factors that increase your risk for colorectal cancer, such as a family history of the disease, are out of your hands. Researchers also have identified lifestyle factors that may increase a person’s chance of developing colorectal polyps or colorectal cancer, according to the American Cancer Society.
- Being overweight or obese
- Not being physically active
- Consuming a diet high in red meat and processed meats
- Eating meats that are grilled, broiled or fried
- Smoking
- Consuming alcohol
Time to test
A stool test and a colonoscopy are the two types of screenings available for colorectal cancer.
For patients who have risk factors for developing colorectal cancer, the only option is a colonoscopy. It is also the best test for average-risk patients, Fesenmyer said.
Polyps, which are precancerous mole-like growths on the lining of the colon, can be removed during the colonoscopy to lower the risk of developing colon cancer. Biopsies or tissue samples can be taken of anything abnormal that is found during the colonoscopy.
“If no polyps are found during the colonoscopy and the patient has an average risk of developing colon cancer, repeat colon cancer screening should be done in 10 years,” Fesenmyer said.
The second screening option is available for people who have an average risk of colon cancer. It is a stool test called Cologuard.
“This test looks for certain DNA markers and blood in the stool that can indicate that someone has a polyp or cancer in the colon,” Fesenmyer said. “If the Cologuard test returns positive, a colonoscopy is necessary to look for polyps or cancer in the colon.”
Screenings can stop at age 75, based on current recommendations, Fesenmyer said.
“In certain instances, this may be pushed to a later age,” he said. “If an average-risk person has a negative colonoscopy, they do not need a repeat test for 10 years. If an average-risk person has a negative Cologuard, they do not need a repeat test for three years.”
BREAKOUT
Along with colorectal screenings, people in their 40s should discuss with their healthcare provider about their health risks and the possible need for the following screenings:
- Breast cancer
- Cervical cancer
- Diabetes
- Skin cancer
- Bone density
- Cholesterol
- Blood glucose
