Colorectal cancer (CRC) is currently Main cause of death from cancer It is more common in adults under the age of 50 and is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States, highlighting the importance of regular screening.
Adults under 65 account for nearly half (45%) of all new infections, up from 27% in 1995, the American Cancer Society report said.
“Once considered a disease that primarily affected people over the age of 50, we are now seeing an increasing number of patients being diagnosed in their 20s, 30s, and 40s, making it even more important not to ignore symptoms based on age alone,” Dr. Timothy Cannon, director of the Molecular Oncology Board and co-director of the gastrointestinal cancer program at Inova, Virginia, told FOX News Digital.
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Public health agencies recommend that adults at “average risk” start screening for colorectal cancer at age 45 and continue until age 75.
Stool-based tests can be used to detect changes in the blood or DNA. cancer indicators. Depending on the type of stool test, it can be done every 1 to 3 years.
A colonoscopy is medical treatment This allows doctors to examine the inside of a patient’s colon and rectum using a thin, flexible tube with a camera at the end. For average-risk adults, a colonoscopy is usually done every 10 years.
“Colonoscopy remains the gold standard because it not only detects cancer early, but also prevents cancer by identifying and removing precancerous polyps,” Cannon said.
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California physician Dr. Michael Martin emphasized that colonoscopies are generally preferred in younger patients who are clearly at higher risk.
“While stool-based tests are a good screening option for average-risk adults, they are not the best choice for people with a severe family history. inflammatory bowel disease“If symptoms are present, the goal is diagnosis, not screening, and colonoscopy is usually the more appropriate test,” he told Fox News Digital.
Your doctor may suggest early screening for people who are in the following high-risk groups:
“If you have a family history, testing may occur sooner and more often,” Martin told FOX News Digital.
The American College of Gastroenterology recommends early screening if a first-degree relative is diagnosed with an infectious disease. colorectal cancer Advanced polyps before age 60 or two first-degree relatives diagnosed at any age.
“Typically, colonoscopies should begin at age 40 or 10 years before the diagnosis of the youngest affected relative, whichever comes first,” Martin said. “In such situations, repeat colonoscopy every five years is generally recommended.”
Cannon listed the following red flags that require early inspection.
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“Many of these symptoms can be caused by less serious illnesses, but they should never be ignored,” he says.
Rectal bleeding in particular should always be taken seriously, even in young patients, Cannon said.
“Symptoms are often related to hemorrhoids, diet, stress, or athletic activity “Without further evaluation, if bleeding continues or is unexplained, you should consult your doctor and possibly undergo a colonoscopy,” he said.
some common genetic syndrome Due to the increased risk of colorectal cancer, early screening may be necessary.
For example, people with Lynch syndrome (an inherited DNA mutation that significantly increases lifetime risk) should have a colonoscopy every 1 to 2 years starting around age 20 to 25, or 2 to 5 years before the youngest diagnosed case in the family, according to the National Cancer Institute.
Another genetic mutation, familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), carries a risk of thousands of polyps and a lifetime colorectal cancer risk of nearly 100%, the American Cancer Society noted. It is recommended that people with FAP begin annual screening tests as early as age 10 to 12.
Several other syndromes and genetic variants may also be warranted, including Peutz-Jeghers syndrome, juvenile polyposis syndrome, and MUTYH-associated polyposis (MAP). Previous screening.
People with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) such as ulcerative colitis or ulcerative colitis crohn’s diseaseThey face a higher lifetime risk of developing colorectal cancer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
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This is primarily due to chronic inflammation that causes cellular changes. In this case, patients may be advised to begin colonoscopies before the age of 45.
If someone is under the age of 45 and falls into the category of requiring early screening, and the screening is then carried out as usual, the period of time between screenings will depend on the specific circumstances. risk factorsaccording to Martin.
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“If this surgery is performed because of a strong family history, it is common to repeat it every five years,” he advised. “If the person turns out not to have colon cancer (or advanced polyps) and is closer to average risk than high risk, the interval may be longer.”
Early screenings are often available. covered by insurancesaid Martin, but coverage rules may differ depending on whether the test is classified as screening or diagnostic.
“Under federal law, screening tests recommended for average-risk patients are typically covered at no cost, but as noted above, colonoscopies performed for symptoms are often considered diagnostic,” he noted. “This can affect your deductible or copay. The exact copay will vary by insurance company and plan.”
The encouraging news, Cannon emphasized, is that colorectal cancer is often preventable.
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“Most cancers develop slowly over many years from precancerous polyps,” he says. “Screening allows doctors to detect and remove these polyps before they turn into cancer.”
“The key message is, if you feel something is new, persistent, or concerning, there is no need to wait. Early assessment please save my life. ”
