March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
This is a great time to raise awareness about colorectal cancer. What are risk factors for developing CRC? What lifestyle changes will reduce your risk? What are best screening practices?
There are approx. 150,000 new cases of colorectal cancers are diagnosed each year, making it the 3rd most common cancer in adults. Screening for colorectal is recommended to start at age 45, or sooner if you have certain risk factors.
As with all cancers, treatment is most effective when it is diagnosed and treated early in the disease.
Screening for Colorectal Cancer
Colonoscopy – the best way of identifying cancers and pre-cancer polyps.
The entire colon is directly visualized and polyps (benign, pre-cancerous growths) can be removed during the procedure. This procedure requires preparation with a bowel cleanse and often requires sedation. The interval between normal test results is 10 years.
Stool Tests (do not detect polyps)
High Sensitivity Fecal Occult Blood Test (gFOBT) – detects blood in stool. Multiple stool samples are obtained at home. There are dietary restrictions required before testing to prevent false-positive results. The interval between normal test results is 1 year. Abnormal results require a follow-up colonoscopy.
Fecal Immunochemical Tests (FIT) – detects blood in stool by detecting antibodies against hemoglobin. Multiple stool samples are obtained at home and there are no dietary restrictions prior to testing. The interval between normal test results is 1 year. Abnormal results require a colonoscopy.
Cologuard – a stool test that not only detects blood in stool but also detects DNA of cancers that are shed in stool. Collection of a stool sample is done in your home. The interval between normal test results is 3 years. Abnormal results require a colonoscopy.
Screening for colorectal cancer can reduce the incidence of colorectal cancer and improve outcomes of treatment by early detection.
Screening for colorectal cancer should start at age 45, or sooner for certain conditions and risk factors.
Please contact your healthcare provider today and determine the best screening procedure for you.