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New Recommendation: Start Colorectal Cancer Screening at Age 45 Recommended cancer screenings, like colonoscopy, help save lives by catching cancer early. We use these preventive screenings to help keep your health and your life on track, so you can continue to feel strong for years to come. It’s important to receive the screenings you need, when you need them. Recently, the American Cancer Society changed its recommendations for colorectal cancer screenings and encouraged millions of Americans to get their screening at a younger age. Why Did the Screening Recommendation Change? The American Cancer Society reviewed records of more than 500,000 people with colorectal cancer. In their research, they discovered that more young people are developing colorectal cancer than ever before. To help detect these cancers as early as possible, they recommended moving the screening to age 45, instead of age 50, even among people with an average risk of cancer. Types of Colorectal Cancer Screenings Depending on your
health history and your doctor’s recommendation, you may be able to choose one of two different screenings for colorectal cancer. You can have a stoolbased test that looks for signs of cancer in your stool. For this test, you will put a stool sample in a special container and mail it to a lab for examination. If there are signs of cancer, you’ll need a colonoscopy. This test should be repeated every 1 – 3 years.
Many colorectal cancers don’t cause symptoms until they have already grown large or spread to other parts of your body, becoming stage III or stage IV cancers. These cancers require more invasive, aggressive treatment and have lower survival rates than stage I cancers.
A colonoscopy can detect colon cancer in stage I or even in pre-cancerous stages. At these early stages, you may only need a simple surgery to remove polyps instead Or, your doctor might recommend a colonosco- of surgery and chemopy, which is considered therapy — and will have to be the gold standard the best possible chance in cancer screening. at remission and survival. These screenings allow your doctor to examine Schedule Your Screening your colon and rectum Today as well as remove any polyps for biopsy. Colonoscopies are simple and Early detection is key to painless and can provide protecting your life and you with peace of mind helping you stay healthy about your health. for years to come. If If your colonoscopy you’re concerned about shows no signs of canseeking care in person, know that we are docer, you likely won’t ing everything we can need to have one again to keep you safe while for 10 years. you’re here. Including: Why Colorectal Cancer • Social Distancing: Screenings are ImportWith limited visitation, ant waiting room protocols and more, you can safely Colorectal cancer rates are on the rise, and while practice social distancing in our facilities. treatments are improving, there’s no substitute for early detection.
• Temperature Checks: Have peace of mind that everyone you come in contact with has their temperature checked upon arrival. • Separate Waiting and Treatment Areas: COVID-19-positive and symptomatic patients are carefully quarantined away from patients and visitors. • Extra Sanitation Measures: Cleanliness has always been one of our top priorities, but now we’re taking extraordinary new steps to ensure thorough, frequent and ongoing sanitation happens around the clock. • Universal Mask Use: We’re stocked with safety supplies, have no shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) and masks are required for all at our facilities. It’s safe — and essential — to continue getting the preventive care you need. We’re ready when you’re ready. Learn more about our gastrointestinal cancer care services at GetScreenedToday.com.
