The Colonoscopy Screening and the Inside Details

Many people put off routine cancer tests, including colon cancer screenings such as colonoscopies. According to CDC, around 25% of adults have not received the recommended colonoscopy screening.

Some people avoid scheduling their screening because they are afraid of the prep work and the test itself. Others believe they don't need to be examined because they're healthy and don't have any indications of colon cancer. However, colorectal malignancies, which include tumors of the colon and rectum, are the 2nd leading cause of cancer-related fatalities in both men and women in the United States.

You want to live as long as possible while staying as healthy as feasible. And you want the same thing for your partner, parents, grandparents, close friends, and loved ones. That is why we urge you to be screened and to persuade others you care about to do the same.

Colon cancer screenings: Everything you need to know

What are the benefits of colon cancer screenings? They are lifesavers.

While colorectal cancer is only second to lung cancer in terms of cancer-related mortality in the United States, it is also a cancer that can be prevented or discovered early. This is where screenings can help.

Screenings are how we check for cancer or pre-cancer in people who don't have any symptoms. This is critical since many people with colon or rectal cancers have no symptoms in the early stages of their illness.

When to start colon cancer screenings and who should be screened for it?

When should you have a colon cancer screening? That is a major concern for many people.

Colon cancer screenings should begin at age 45 for both men and women which is lower than the previous recommendation of age 50. Your doctor may prescribe screening even earlier if you have specific colon cancer risk factors.

The following are some of the risk factors for colon cancer:

• Family history of colon cancer — If you have a family history, your chances of acquiring it are increased. Tell your health care physician right soon if you have a parent, grandparent, sibling, or kid who has had the disease. This is especially true if you have multiple family members who are affected by the condition. If you have a personal colon cancer history, your chances of getting it again are increased.

• Genes - While hereditary genes are only linked to a small fraction of colon cancers, specific gene mutations that are passed down can greatly raise your risk of colon cancer.

• Lifestyle factors - Smoking, consuming alcohol, eating a bad diet, and not exercising regularly can all increase your colon cancer risk.

How often should you have a colon cancer screening?

The frequency with which you should be checked for colon and rectal cancers is mostly determined by two things: your personal risk factors and the screening test you choose.

For example, if you're 45 or older and have an average risk of colon cancer, you'll give a stool sample once a year until your doctor advises otherwise. If you choose to get a colonoscopy screening, it is usually suggested that you do so every 10 years.

See us at Screen the City for the said screening.

**Disclaimer: This blog content does not intend to offer a doctor’s advice and mentions no relationship between any patient and the care provider.