COLON HEALTH

When to Get Screened for Colorectal Cancer

• If you are age 50 to 75 years old, you should get screened for colorectal cancer. If you are older than 75 ask your doctor if you should be screened.
• The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening beginning at age 50. Some groups recommend starting earlier, at age 45.
• The vast majority of new cases of colorectal cancer (about 90%) occur in people who are 50 or older.
• Millions of people in the United States are not getting screened as recommended. They are missing the chance to prevent colorectal cancer or find it early when treatment often leads to a cure.
• If you think you may be at increased risk for colorectal cancer, learn your family health history and ask your doctor if you should begin screening before age 50.

Several screening tests can be used to find polyps or colorectal cancer. It is important to know that if your test result is positive or abnormal on some screening tests (stool tests, flexible sigmoidoscopy, and CT colonography), a colonoscopy test is needed to complete the screening process. Talk to your doctor about which test is right for you.

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Risk Factors for Colorectal Cancer

• Age. Your risk of getting colorectal cancer increases as you get older
• Inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
• A personal or family history of colorectal cancer or colorectal polyps
• A genetic syndrome such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)external icon or hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (Lynch syndrome)

Lifestyle factors that May Contribute to an Increased Risk of Colorectal Cancer

• Lack of regular physical activity
• A diet low in fruit and vegetables
• A low-fiber and high-fat diet, or a diet high in processed meats
• Overweight and obesity
• Alcohol consumption
• Tobacco use