Screening for Colon Cancer

Why should testing be undertaken?

Colorectal cancer is known as a "silent" disease, because many people do not develop symptoms, such as bright red bleeding or abdominal pain until the cancer is difficult to cure.  On the other hand, if colorectal cancer is found and treated at an early stage, before symptoms develop, the opportunity to cure is 95% or better. Most colon cancers start as non-cancerous growths called polyps. If the polyps are removed, then the cancer may be prevented. Major surgery can usually be avoided.

What is the risk of colorectal cancer?

Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer in the United States. The average person's lifetime risk of developing it is about one chance in 20. The risk is increased if there is a family history of colorectal polyps or cancer, and is still higher if there is a personal history of breast, uterine or ovarian cancer. Risk is also higher for people with a history of extensive inflammatory bowel disease, such as ulcerative or Crohn's colitis.

What is screening and surveillance?

Many polyps and cancers of the colon and rectum do not produce symptoms until they become fairly large. Screening involves one or more tests performed to identify whether a person with no symptoms has a disease or condition that may lead to colon or rectal cancer. The goal is to identify the potential for disease or the condition early when it is easier to prevent or cure. Surveillance involves testing people who have previously had colorectal cancer or are at increased risk. Because their chance of having cancer is higher, more extensive or more frequent tests are recommended.

When and how often should testing be done?

For people who have none of the risks described earlier, digital rectal examination and testing of the stool for hidden blood are recommended annually beginning at age 40. Colonoscopy is recommended every 5 years at age 50 or older.

Surveillance is recommended for people in the following high-risk groups.

  1. People who have had any pre-cancerous polyps found and removed should have colonoscopy one to three years after the first examination.

  2. People with a close relative, such as sibling, parent or child who has had colorectal cancer or a pre-cancerous polyp should have the same screening as people of average risk, but it should begin at age 40 or 5 years before the age at which the youngest was diagnosed.

  3. People with a family history of colorectal cancer in several close relatives and several generations, especially cancers occurring at a young age, should receive genetic counseling and consider genetic testing for a condition called hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer. People with this family medical history should have an examination of the entire colon preferably colonoscopy every two years starting between the age of 20 and 30, and every year after age 40.

  4. People with a personal history of colorectal cancer should have a complete examination of the colon within one year after the cancer is initially detected and surgically removed. If this exam is normal, they should have a follow-up exam within three years.

  5. People with a history of extensive inflammatory bowel disease for 8 or more years should consider having a colonoscopy examination of their colon conducted every one to two years.

  6. Women with a personal history of breast or female genital cancer (ovary or uterine) have a 15% lifetime risk (1 in 6) of developing colon cancer. They should undergo colonoscopy every 5 years, beginning at age 40.

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