Precancerous polyps can be detected with regular screening tests and removed before they develop into cancer. They can also aid in the early detection of colorectal cancer, when therapy is most successful.
A flexible sigmoidoscopy or a virtual colonoscopy is recommended every 5 years as a screening test. They also contain the FIT stool test.
The majority of colorectal cancers begin as abnormal growths on the colon or rectum (large intestine) lining. Polyps are benign growths that can be found during screening tests.
Doctors can remove these polyps, also known as precancerous tumors, which lowers the risk of developing colorectal cancer and increases survival chances if the condition is detected early. The American Cancer Society recommends that men and women with an average cancer risk begin routine screening at the age of 45.
While the new suggestion is a step in the right direction, many Americans may still be wary of having a colonoscopy. Meanwhile, institutions such as businesses and health systems are providing incentives for employees to get examined earlier.
Colon cancer screening can detect precancerous growths (polyps) before they become cancer and save lives. It also aids in detecting abnormalities in the colon when they are simpler to treat.
A FIT test or guaiac-based fecal occult blood testing, stool DNA assays, CT colonography, and flexible sigmoidoscopy are all available for screening. According to the Multi-Society Task Force on Colorectal Cancer and the American Cancer Society, these approaches are intended to detect cancer before it grows and spreads.
Colorectal cancer screening should begin at the age of 45 for those at average risk. Some persons with particular health issues or a family history of colon cancer may need to begin screening sooner.
Screening can minimize your chance of acquiring colon cancer whether you are a male or a woman. You can be tested using colonoscopy (a gastroenterologist uses a scope to check inside your colon) or stool-based testing, depending on your unique risk factors.
The best approach to determine if you should be checked is to discuss your risk factors with your doctor. He or she can help you decide which test is best for you and propose a screening plan that works with your schedule.
Screening for colon cancer at a young age is critical. It can help prevent the condition from developing and make treatment easier if you've been diagnosed.
Blood in the stool, a change in bowel habits, or weight loss that isn't connected to diet or activity are the most prevalent warning symptoms of colorectal cancer. If you observe any of these symptoms, contact your doctor right away.
A fecal immunochemical test, or FIT, can identify concealed blood in your stool, which may indicate colon cancer or polyps. If your test results are positive, your doctor will propose a colonoscopy to examine the inside of your colon and rectum.
Colorectal cancer develops when cells in the lining of your colon and rectum proliferate uncontrollably. Screening can detect certain tumors early and, in many cases, cure them.
The US Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening for colon cancer every ten years beginning at the age of 45 for people at average risk.
This new proposal will enable millions more Americans to benefit from this critical preventative care. It will also aid in the saving of more lives by detecting colon cancer and precancerous polyps at an earlier stage, when they may be removed