Colorectal Cancer (CRC) Screening

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the 2nd leading cause of cancer deaths and is now the leading cause of cancer death in people < 50-year-olds

Colon cancer begins as abnormal growths, called polyps, in the inner wall of the large intestine or rectum. These polyps can slowly change into cancer, taking as long as 10 to 15 years to become cancerous and spread to other parts of the body. Advanced adenomas are “high‑risk” polyps — they are larger or show more abnormal changes, making them more likely to turn into cancer if not removed

People with early colon cancer may not have any symptoms. Sometimes the symptoms of colon cancer may be misidentified as hemorrhoids, infection, or irritable bowel syndrome.

Signs and symptoms of colon cancer include:

• Abdominal pain
• Accidental weight loss
• Blood in stool
• Change in bowel habits
• Cramping
• Fatigue
• Feeling of nonrelief after having a bowel movement
• Rectal bleeding
• Weakness

You are considered to be at increased or high risk for colon cancer if:

• You have a strong family history or personal history of colon cancer or certain polyps
• You have a personal history of inflammatory bowel disease (such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease)
• You or someone in your family is known to have an inherited genetic disorder or mutation such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or Lynch syndrome
• You have a history of cancer that was treated with radiation to the pelvic area or abdomen (belly)

If you are at increased or high risk for colon cancer, your doctor may want you to start screening earlier than age 45 and/or at more frequent intervals, and to use highly sensitive screening tests like colonoscopy.

American Cancer Society Guidelines recommend that people at average risk for colon cancer should begin screening at age 45.

Screening earlier than age 45 may be recommended for those at increased risk for colon cancer. Factors that put someone at increased risk include:

• A strong family history or personal history of colon cancer or certain polyps
• A personal history of inflammatory bowel disease (such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease)
• A personal or family history of an inherited genetic disorder or mutation such as familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) or Lynch syndrome
• A history of cancer that was treated with radiation to the pelvic area or abdomen (belly)

Screening for colon cancer is important because people with early colon cancer may not have any symptoms, or they may mistake symptoms for something else. Early detection increases survival and prevention. Screening makes it possible to catch early cancerous or precancerous changes in the colon while they are treatable.

Almost all colon cancer starts as polyps, which can be removed before they ever become cancerous. If found early enough, colon cancer can be removed before it can spread to other parts of the body.