According to the CDC, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths between men and women in the United States. (1) Colorectal cancer is found within the colon or rectum. (2) Symptoms are not always present when someone is diagnosed with colon or rectal cancer; however, if symptoms do occur usually, they include blood in your stool, changes to your bowel habits, or abdominal pain. (3) Colonoscopies are routine tests to screen or diagnose colorectal cancer. (4) March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Honor this observance by scheduling an appointment with your primary care provider to discuss your screening options.
When should you begin screening measures for colorectal cancer?
Screening measures for colorectal cancer vary from person to person based on age, genetics, or other chronic illnesses. (5) The US Preventative Service Task Force recommends colorectal screenings for the average adult aged 45 to 75 and recommends adults aged 76 to 85 should speak with their primary care provider about their options. (5) Roughly four to six percent of colon cancers are considered hereditary. (6) Therefore, if you have a family member that had or currently has colorectal cancer, it’s pertinent to your health to discuss this with your primary care provider; screenings may start sooner rather than later. Different chronic diseases may increase your chances of developing colorectal cancer, such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). (5) Inflammatory Bowel Disease includes Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. (5) If you have IBD, please consult your primary care provider or gastroenterologist about when to begin your screening options.
What type of screening options are available?
There are two routine screenings for colorectal cancer stool laboratory test and colonoscopy. (7) A stool laboratory test includes collecting your stool sample at home and mailing it to the laboratory of your choice. The lab will test your stool for blood or DNA from cancerous cells of the colon passed through your stool. (7) While stool samples may seem like a quick and easy screening option, there are significant disadvantages. (7) Some of these disadvantages may include:
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- Many types of colorectal cancers and polyps go undiagnosed.
- False-positive results may occur and could require repeat testing.
- If you have an abnormal result, a colonoscopy may be required. This colonoscopy would be diagnostic, which insurance may not cover at 100%.
Colonoscopies are a type of screening that visualizes the colon and rectum with a small tube-like camera; this type of screening is performed under anesthesia by a gastroenterologist or surgeon. (7) An empty bowel is required to have a successful colonoscopy. Some of the advantages of a colonoscopy for screening are (7):
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- The ability to take biopsies of suspicious areas or remove polyps.
- This test can lead to the diagnosis of other diseases, not only colorectal cancer.
- Most health insurances cover this type of screening at 100%.
What is a polyp?
How often should you get screened for colorectal cancer?
Screening recommendations for colorectal cancer differ based on an individual’s past screening, chronic diseases, habits, and family history. Contact your primary care provider to discuss when to begin colorectal cancer screenings or see if you are due. To schedule an appointment for a colonoscopy, please call AppGastro, Tate Clinic, or Watauga Surgical Group.
Author: Lyndsi H. Richardson
Lyndsi is the Community Outreach Specialist for UNC Health Appalachian. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Public Health from Appalachian State University and is actively pursuing her Master’s in Digital Marketing from Wake Forest University. Lyndsi is passionate about rural health, health inequity, healthy aging, and health education in the High Country.
Reference
(1) An Update on Cancer Deaths in the United States. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022) https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/dcpc/research/update-on-cancer-deaths/index.htm
(2) What is Colorectal Cancer? American Cancer Society. (2020) https://www.cancer.org/cancer/colon-rectal-cancer/about/what-is-colorectal-cancer.html
(3) Colorectal Cancer Signs and Symptoms. American Cancer Society. (2020) https://www.cancer.org/cancer/colon-rectal-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/signs-and-symptoms.html
(4) Screening Test to Detect Colorectal Cancer and Polyps. National Cancer Institute. (2021) https://www.cancer.gov/types/colorectal/screening-fact-sheet#what-methods-are-used-to-screen-people-for-colorectal-cancer
(5) What Should I Know About Screening. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022) https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/colorectal/basic_info/screening/index.htm#:~:text=Regular%20screening%2C%20beginning%20at%20age,to%20their%20doctor%20about%20screening
(6) Hereditary Colorectal Cancer. American Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons. https://fascrs.org/patients/diseases-and-conditions/a-z/hereditary-colorectal-cancer
(7) Colorectal Cancer Screening Test. American Cancer Society. (2020) https://www.cancer.org/cancer/colon-rectal-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/screening-tests-used.html
(8) Understanding Polyps and Their Treatment. American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. https://www.asge.org/home/for-patients/patient-information/understanding-polyps#:~:text=How%20Are%20Polyps%20Removed%3F,called%20polyp%20resection%20or%20polypectomy
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