My doctor said it's time for colon cancer screening, but I don't understand why I need it.
Colon cancer is the 2nd leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Your risk of developing colon cancer increases after the age of 50. Although colon cancer is common in people with family history, 4 out of 5 people that are diagnosed with colon cancer have NO family history. Screening rates need to be improved as 1 in 3 adults over the age of 50 are NOT getting screened.
There are many ways patients can be screened for colon cancer including:
Colonoscopy
Stool DNA (cologuard)
Fecal Occult Blood Test
Talk to your doctor about colon cancer screening. It is recommended in all adults, male and female, over the age of 50. If you have family history, you may need screening earlier.
When caught early, colon cancer is 90% curable.
Schedule an appointment with HealthFirst to discuss your colon cancer screening options!