The American Cancer Society recommends the following for colorectal cancer screening:

Beginning at age 50, men and women who are at average risk for developing colorectal cancer should start screening.

You are at an increased risk if you:

• have a personal history of colorectal cancer or adenomatous polyps
• a personal history of chronic inflammatory bowel disease
• a strong family history of colorectal cancer or polyps (cancer or polyps in a first-degree relative [parent, sibling, or child] younger than 60, or in 2 first-degree relatives of any age)
• a known family history or herediatry colorectal cancer syndromes (familial adenomatous polyposis or hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer).

You may contact our office to set up a colonoscopy or your primary care provider may arrange one of these tests for you.

Other reasons for having a colonoscopy include:

• finding blood in stool either visulized or occult,
• finding iron difficient anemia,
• or abnormalities of other studies.

TRUE OR FALSE:

1. Colorectal cancer is a man's disease annually affecting more men than women.

False! It affects an equal number of men and women.

2.  Only women over the age of 50 who are currently experiencing some symptoms or problems should be screened for colorectal cancer or polyps.

False!  Beginning at age 50, all men and women should be screened for colorectal cancer even if they are experiencing no problems or symptoms.

3.  A colonoscopy screening exam typically requires an overnight stay in a hospital.

False!  A colonoscopy is done on an outpatient basis.  A mild sedative is usually given before the procedure and then a flexible, slender tube is inserted into the rectum to look inside the colon. 

4.  Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer deaths in women in the US.

True!  After lung cancer and breast cancer, colorectal cancer is the the thrid leading cause of cancer deaths in women in the US.  It is estimated that increased awareness and screening could save 30.000 lives each year.

5.  Tests used for screening for colon cancer include digital rectal exam, stool blood test, barium enema, flexible sigmoidoscopy, and colonoscopy.

True!  These are the five different tests used for screening for colorectal cancer even before there are symptoms.  Speak with your healthcare provider about which test is best for you.   Current recommendations for screening beginning at age 50 include:

• an annual stool occult blood test;
• flexible sigmoidoscopy every three to five years, or a colonoscopy every ten years;
• a digital rectal exam at the time of each screening sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, or barium enema;
• You should begin screening earlier if you have a personal or family history of colorectal cancer, polyps, rectal bleeding or long-standing inflammatory bowel disease such as ulcerative colitis disease.

6.  Colon cancer is often preventable.

True!!  Colorectal cancer is highly preventable.  Screening tests detect polyps and the removal of these polyps can prevent colorectal cancer from developing.

This information is provided by the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. For more information check out www.asge.org or the American Cancer Society www.cancer.org.