Colon Cancer
It is the third leading cause of cancer in the United States. Let’s all attack it, one person at a time. Get screened today.
90% of cases of colon cancer occurred in people who are older than 50 years of age.
You can do a lot to reduce your risk of colon cancer:
- Be active regularly
- Consume a diet high in fiber, fruit and vegetables
- Limit fat contents in your diet
- Maintain your weight. Obesity can lead to increased inflammation, which can predispose you to developing cancer.
- Limit alcohol consumption
- Do not smoke or use tobacco products
Even though colonoscopy is the standard, if you do not have family history, and are at average risk, there are other options available.
Recommended start age of screening: 50 years of age, or 45 years if African American (ACG)
Recommended stop age: 75-85 years of age
Great Resource from the National Cancer Institute: https://gutcheck.cancer.gov/
Screening Methods
Colonoscopy | Sigmoidoscopy | CT Colonography (Virtual Colonoscopy) |
Annual FIT (Fecal Immunochemical Test) |
Stool DNA Test | Double Contrast Barium Enema |
|
What to Do | First Choice | Second Choice | Second | Third Choice | Last | Last |
Estimated Cost | $1,036 | $500 | $450 | $25 | $649 | $400 |
Appropriate for | Patients with Normal or Increased Risk | Patients with Normal Risk |
Patients with Normal Risk |
Patients with Normal Risk |
Patients with Normal Risk |
Patients with Normal Risk |
How Done & How Long |
Prep needed Full Day |
Prep needed Half/Full Day |
Prep needed 1-2 hours |
Home Self Collection | Home Self Collection | |
Can Detect | Cancer & Polyps on Entire Colon |
Cancer & Polyps on Left Colon |
Cancer & Polyps >1cm |
Cancer | Cancer | Cancer |
If Negative | Repeat Every 10 years | Every 5 years | Every 5 years | Every year | Every 3 years | Every 5 years |
If Positive | Depending on findings | Colonoscopy | Colonoscopy | Colonoscopy | Colonoscopy | Colonoscopy |
Complication | 0.19% | 0.09% | ||||
Note | FIT just as good, and less expensive | CT colonography better |
References:
Complication Rate: https://academic.oup.com/jnci/article/95/3/230/2520585/Risk-of-Perforation-After-Colonoscopy-and
American Cancer Society, https://www.cancer.org/cancer/colon-rectal-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/acs-recommendations.html
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, https://www.uspreventiveservicestaskforce.org/Page/Document/RecommendationStatementFinal/colorectal-cancer-screening2
American College of Gastroenterology, https://gi.org/guideline/colorectal-cancer-screening/