Colon cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in the world. It can be a deadly disease if it is not detected early.

Colon cancer screening is a tool that can help detect this cancer early enough to treat it before it progresses to an advanced stage. This article will discuss the right time for colon cancer screening.

What is Colon Cancer Screening?

Colon cancer screening is a test that is done to check for the presence of colon polyps or cancer. Colon polyps are small growths that can eventually develop into cancer.

Colon cancer screening can detect these growths and allow doctors to remove them before they have a chance to become cancerous.

Who Needs Colon Cancer Screening?

Colon cancer screening is recommended for men and women who are at average risk for colon cancer. The American Cancer Society recommends that most people should start screening at age 45.

However, those who have an increased risk of getting colon cancer may need to start screening earlier.

Risk Factors for Colon Cancer

There are several risk factors for colon cancer, including:.

Age
Family history of colon cancer
Personal history of certain types of cancer
Inflammatory bowel disease
Unhealthy lifestyle factors such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and lack of physical activity

Types of Colon Cancer Screening Tests

There are several types of colon cancer screening tests that are available. They include:.

Colonoscopy – This test is considered the gold standard for colon cancer screening. A colonoscopy allows the doctor to examine the entire colon and rectum using a long, flexible tube with a camera at the end.
Virtual colonoscopy – This test is less invasive than a traditional colonoscopy. It uses a CT scan to create images of the colon and rectum. However, if polyps are found, a colonoscopy is required to remove them.
Stool tests – There are several types of stool tests that can be done to screen for colon cancer. The most common is the fecal immunochemical test, which looks for blood in the stool. If blood is found, additional tests will be needed to determine the cause.

When Should Colon Cancer Screening be Done?

The timing of colon cancer screening depends on several factors, including:.

Age
Family history
Personal history of certain types of cancer

For most people, colon cancer screening should begin at age 45. However, those with an increased risk of colon cancer may need to start screening earlier.

It is recommended that those with a family history of colon cancer should start screening at age 40, or 10 years younger than the age at which their relative was diagnosed.

Individuals with a personal history of colorectal cancer or pre-cancerous polyps should start screening earlier and may require more frequent testing.

Your doctor will help you determine the right time for colon cancer screening based on your individual risk factors.

How Often Should Colon Cancer Screening be Done?

The frequency of colon cancer screening depends on several factors, including:.

The type of screening test that was done
The results of the screening test
The individual’s risk factors

An individual who has no polyps or other abnormalities found during a colonoscopy should have another colonoscopy in 10 years.

An individual who has polyps removed during a colonoscopy may need to undergo colon cancer screening more frequently, depending on the size and type of the polyps.

People who have a positive result from a stool test will need to have a colonoscopy to determine the cause of the positive result. Depending on the results of the colonoscopy, the individual may need to have more frequent screening.

Conclusion

Colon cancer screening is an essential tool for detecting this deadly disease. Screening recommendations vary based on an individual’s age, family history, and personal history of certain types of cancer.

Your doctor can help determine the right time for colon cancer screening based on your individual risk factors.