Despite being one of the most common cancers in both men and women, colorectal cancer is largely treatable when caught early. And regular screening can prevent colon cancer.
Finding and eliminating precancerous polyps and other abnormal growths in the colon and rectum early on can help avoid colorectal cancer.
Most people should begin getting screened for colorectal cancer at age 45.
However, you may need to be tested sooner if you have risk factors for colon cancer, which are:
However, most early colon cancer develops silently. A screening test is performed to detect disease in the absence of symptoms. Screening aims to find cancer early when it is easier to treat. Better yet, screening can prevent cancer from forming at all by finding and removing polyps.
The main goal of colon cancer screening is to prevent deaths from colorectal cancer. A colonoscopy is the only test that can detect and prevent colon cancer. This makes colonoscopy the gold standard screening method – and a lifesaving one.
Almost all colorectal cancers begin as polyps. While most polyps are harmless or benign, over time they might become precancerous and later develop into cancer.
A colonoscopy enables doctors to inspect the colon and rectum visually. The entire colon is examined with a flexible scope inserted into the rectum and passed through the large intestine. This procedure permits the doctor to thoroughly check the colon’s lining for polyps and other indicators of colon cancer.
Polyps or other types of abnormal tissue can be removed during a colonoscopy. Tissue samples and biopsies are then tested in a lab to determine if the polyps are malignant, precancerous, or benign.
Each time a doctor eliminates a polyp that is precancerous or has the potential to become malignant, a progression to colorectal cancer is avoided.
Screening for colon cancer can save lives. Colorectal cancer can be prevented by early diagnosis and removal of precancerous polyps. Colon and rectal cancers are both treatable if found early, significantly reducing the risk of dying from colon cancer.
Don’t avoid this life-saving test – schedule your colonoscopy appointment today!
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