Colon Screening Guidelines

Colorectal cancer is predominantly a “man’s disease,” affecting many more men than women annually.

FALSE — Colorectal cancer affects an equal number of men and women. Many women, however, think of CRC as a disease only affecting men and might be unaware of important information about screening and preventing colorectal cancer (CRC) that could save their lives, says the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy.

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Only women over the age of 50 who are currently experiencing some symptoms or problems should be screened for colorectal cancer or polyps.

FALSE — Beginning at age 50, all men and women should be screened for colorectal cancer EVEN IF THEY ARE EXPERIENCING NO PROBLEMS OR SYMPTOMS.

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A colonoscopy screening exam typically requires an overnight stay in a hospital.

FALSE — Colonoscopy is almost always done on an outpatient basis. A mild sedative is usually given before the procedure and then a flexible, slender tube is inserted into the rectum to look inside the colon. The test is safe and the procedure itself typically takes less than 30 minutes.

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Colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer deaths in women in the United States.

TRUE — After lung cancer and breast cancer, colorectal cancer is the third leading cause of cancer deaths in women in the United States. Annually, approxi¬mately 130,000 new cases of colorectal cancer are diag¬nosed in the United States and 56,000 people die from the disease. It has been estimated that increased awareness and screening could save 30,000 lives each year.

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Tests used for screening for colon cancer include digital rectal exam, stool blood test, barium enema, flexible sigmoidoscopy, and colonoscopy.

TRUE — These are the five different tests used for screening for colorectal cancer even before there are symptoms. Talk to your healthcare provider about which test is best for you. Current recommendations for screening* include:
Beginning at age 50, men and women should have, at a minimum:

• An annual stool occult blood test;
• Flexible sigmoidoscopy every three to five years, or a colonoscopy every ten years;
• A digital rectal exam at the time of each screening sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, or barium enema

* Important: You should begin screening if you have a personal or family history of colorectal cancer, polyps, rectal bleeding or long-standing inflammatory bowel disease such as ulcerative colitis disease.

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Colon cancer is often preventable.

TRUE — Colorectal cancer is highly preventable.  Screening tests such as colonoscopy and flexible sigmoidoscopy may detect polyps (small, grapelike growths on the lining of the colon). Removal of these polyps can prevent colorectal cancer from developing.

The American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy encourages you to talk with your healthcare provider about colon cancer screening and encourages everyone over the age of 50 to undergo the appropriate CRC screening.

IMPORTANT REMINDER: The preceding information is intended only to provide general information and not as a definitive basis for diagnosis or treatment in any particular case. It is very important that you consult your doctor about your specific condition.

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Colon Cancer Screen

Please see your physician for ASGE materials on these procedures or visit the ASGE web site at www.asge.org.

The preceding information is the opinion of and provided by the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy