Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers in the United States…and one of the most preventable. It affects the colon and rectum, and for many years it was considered a disease that primarily impacted older adults. But in recent years, that has changed. Rates among younger adults have been rising, leading experts to update screening recommendations. The good news? With timely screening, colorectal cancer is often preventable and highly treatable when caught early.
At Horizon Family Medical Group, we want our patients to understand a simple but powerful truth: colorectal cancer is a killer we can stop.
Why Screening Matters
Colorectal cancer often begins as small growths called polyps in the lining of the colon or rectum. These polyps typically do not cause symptoms. Over time, some can develop into cancer. The key is that this process usually takes years. That gives us a valuable window of opportunity to find and remove precancerous polyps before they ever turn into cancer.
When colorectal cancer is detected early, before it spreads, the five-year survival rate is about 90 percent. Unfortunately, many cases are diagnosed at later stages, when treatment becomes more complicated and survival rates decline. Screening bridges that gap.
Screening Guidelines Have Changed
In the past, routine colorectal cancer screening was recommended starting at age 50 for people at average risk. However, due to rising cases in younger adults, major medical organizations now recommend that screening begin at age 45 for individuals at average risk.
You may need to start even earlier if you have:
- A family history of colorectal cancer or advanced polyps
- A personal history of inflammatory bowel disease (such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis)
- A genetic condition such as Lynch syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis
If you have a first-degree relative (parent, sibling, or child) who had colorectal cancer, especially at a younger age, screening may begin 10 years earlier than the age at which your relative was diagnosed, or at age 40, whichever comes first.
Because risk varies from person to person, your provider will tailor screening recommendations based on your medical and family history.
How Often Should You Be Screened?
The frequency of screening depends on the type of test used and your previous results.
Colonoscopy remains the gold standard for screening. If your colonoscopy is normal and you are at average risk, it is typically repeated every 10 years. If polyps are found, your doctor may recommend repeating the procedure in 3 to 5 years, depending on the number, size, and type of polyps.
There are also non-invasive stool-based tests available. These tests look for hidden blood or abnormal DNA markers in the stool. Some are done annually; others are done every three years. If a stool-based test is abnormal, a follow-up colonoscopy is required.
The right choice depends on your preferences, medical history, and overall risk. The most important thing is not which test you choose, it’s that you get screened.
Don’t Wait for Symptoms
One of the most dangerous misconceptions about colorectal cancer is that you can wait until you “feel something is wrong.” Early colorectal cancer and precancerous polyps often cause no symptoms at all.
When symptoms do appear, they may include:
- Changes in bowel habits
- Blood in the stool
- Unexplained weight loss
- Abdominal pain
- Persistent fatigue
By the time symptoms develop, the cancer may already be more advanced. Screening allows us to detect problems long before symptoms occur.
Why People Put It Off
We understand that the idea of a colonoscopy can feel uncomfortable or inconvenient. Preparation requires planning, and the thought of the procedure itself can cause anxiety. Some people delay screening because they feel healthy, are busy, or assume they are not at risk.
But postponing screening only increases the risk that a potential cancer will be found later, when treatment is more intensive and outcomes are less favorable. Early-stage colorectal cancer may require limited treatment and has excellent survival rates. Late-stage disease often involves surgery, chemotherapy, and a more difficult recovery.
A few hours of preparation and a short outpatient procedure can prevent years of serious health consequences.
A Preventable Disease
Colorectal cancer stands out because it is not only detectable early, it is often preventable. Removing polyps during a colonoscopy eliminates the chance that those polyps will turn into cancer. That makes screening both a diagnostic and a preventive tool.
Lifestyle choices also play a role. Maintaining a healthy weight, staying physically active, eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and fiber, limiting processed meats, avoiding tobacco, and moderating alcohol use can all help lower risk. But even the healthiest individuals still need screening.
Take Action Today
If you are 45 or older and have not been screened, now is the time. If you have a family history of colorectal cancer, talk with your provider about starting earlier. If it has been several years since your last screening, check whether you are due.
At Horizon Family Medical Group, we are here to guide you through the process, answer your questions, and help you choose the screening option that fits your needs. Colorectal cancer is a serious disease, but it is one we have the power to prevent and detect early.
Don’t put it off. A screening today could save your life tomorrow.