45 is the new 50: Colon cancer screening guidelines have changed

In the past ten years, colorectal cancer rates have increased significantly for people under the age of 50, according to research. 

In response to this, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) has issued new guidelines that state colon cancer screening should start at age 45 instead of 50.¹ 

The good news is that screening for colon cancer can be done from the comfort of your own home. On top of that, using a home screening kit annually may help reduce the risk of colon cancer death by up to 32%.²

To better understand if you need to get screened, it’s important to learn a few key facts. You should also talk to your healthcare provider about your options for screening as well. Just know that screening can help find colon cancer early, when it’s easier to treat. 

Let’s start with the basics.

What is colon cancer?

Colon cancer is cancer that occurs in the colon (large intestine) or rectum (connects the colon to the anus). Colon cancer is the third most common cancer in the U.S. and the second most common cause of cancer-related death.³

What are the symptoms of colon cancer?

While colorectal cancer does not always cause symptoms right away, it can cause one or more of the following symptoms:

  • Rectal bleeding or blood in your stool
  • A change in your bowel habits, such as diarrhea, constipation, or thin stool that lasts more than a few days
  • Unexplained abdominal pain or cramping
  • A constant urge to have a bowel movement that doesn’t go away after you have one
  • Unexplained weakness and fatigue
  • Unintended weight loss
  • Anemia
  • Bloating that doesn’t go away in people assigned female at birth

Who is at risk for colon cancer?

  • People of any gender can get colon cancer. 
  • It is most often found in people 50 years of age or older. Risk increases with age.
  • Individuals with certain inherited disorders may also be at risk.
  • Lifestyle factors such as lack of regular physical activity, a poor diet, being overweight or obese, as well as alcohol consumption and tobacco use.

How to screen for colon cancer

Colon cancer screening can help your healthcare provider identify polyps within the colon before they turn cancerous. Ranging from invasive to non-invasive, there are a number of screening options that can help detect colon cancer early:

  • Stool tests – One way to screen for colon cancer is to look for blood in the stool using a fecal occult blood test (FOBT) or a fecal immunochemical test (FIT). These tests only require a small sample of stool. You can complete them from home and send the samples to a lab for examination. These tests should be done once a year.
  • Stool DNA test – Another common stool test is a FIT-DNA test. It combines the FIT stool test with one that can detect altered DNA in the stool. Altered DNA may indicate the presence of cancerous cells. This test requires a sample of a full bowel movement. It should be done once every three years.
  • Flexible sigmoidoscopy – A flexible sigmoidoscopy is a procedure in which a healthcare provider visually examines the rectum and lower colon using a lighted, flexible tube with a camera at the end. During this procedure, a healthcare provider can look for polyps and potential cancer cells. This test should be done every five years.
  • Colonoscopy – A colonoscopy allows a healthcare provider to examine the entire colon. If they see any polyps or cancers, they can remove them during the procedure. Colonoscopies are often administered when other colon cancer screening tests uncover abnormalities. Colonoscopies should also be done as a part of a regular screening every 10 years.
  • Computed tomography (CT) colonography – A CT colonography constructs images that map out the entire colon. These images can give a healthcare provider a better look at the colon. If there are any colon polyps or tumors, a CT colonography can show their shape, size, and location in greater detail.

Check in with your healthcare provider 

It’s always best to talk to your healthcare provider to find out which colon health screening is right for you. It may depend on your health history and other factors. It’s also good to check with your insurance company to see which screenings are covered by your plan. That way, you don’t have to pay out of pocket. 

¹ https://www.healthline.com/health-news/colon-cancer-screening-now-advised-for-people-over-45

² https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4412262/

³ https://www.cancer.org/cancer/colon-rectal-cancer/about/key-statistics.html