Colon cancer, one of the most prevalent forms of the disease, is on the rise. In fact, the CDC reports that it’s a leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States – yet people still put off colon cancer screenings.
At Gateway Gastroenterology, we understand the importance of colon cancer screenings. Our experienced practitioners provide various treatments, including colonoscopies, for issues like abdominal pain, acid reflux, and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
Colon cancer screening involves different forms of testing to evaluate your colon (or large intestine) for signs of cancer, usually before symptoms develop. Screening should start at age 45 for average risk patients.
You have several options when it comes to colon cancer screening, depending on your family history and genetics. People at low to average risk of colon cancer can choose either a colonoscopy OR at home testing through a stool DNA test, fecal immunochemical test, or the multitarget stool RNA test. If any of these tests are positive, you will need a colonoscopy to further evaluate.
Those at a higher risk for colon cancer due to previous diagnoses or a family history of colon cancer are not advised to screen with stool based testing. High risk patients should undergo colonoscopy for colon cancer screening.
A colonoscopy is the gold standard of colon cancer screenings because it’s diagnostic, and we can remove polyps if we find them during the procedure. Most polyps are precancerous, so by removing them we can actually prevent colon cancer from developing. This is in contrast to stool based testing, which is designed to detect only advanced polyps or colon cancer.
Everyone should have a colon cancer screening at some point – starting at age 45 for those at average risk. However, many people put off screening because they think it’s unimportant – but these screenings save lives.
There are so many reasons not to delay colon cancer screenings, but two of the most important include:
Regular screenings help us find colon cancer either before it starts or in the very early stages, when it’s most treatable. Early detection means higher survival rates because it’s less likely to have spread and there are better treatment options in the early stages. Colon cancer doesn’t always show signs until it’s in the later stages, where treatment isn’t always successful.
The earlier you get screened, the less likely you are to have a cancer diagnosis. Screening tests allow us to find anything abnormal before it turns into cancer. We can remove polyps to prevent cancer from forming in the first place, and then adjust colonoscopy intervals as needed to make sure you continue getting appropriate colon cancer screening lifelong.
It’s essential to discuss your concerns and family history with our team to determine the best screening method for you.
Don’t hesitate to call one of our conveniently located offices in Chesterfield, Saint Louis, Ballwin, or Des Peres, Missouri, to schedule a colon cancer screening today, or request a consultation on our website.