Colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Unfortunately, it is a disease that can often progress without symptoms until it has reached an advanced stage. This is why screening is so important.

Screening can detect colon cancer in its early stages, when treatment is most effective. But when should women start screening for colon cancer? Here’s what you need to know.

What is colon cancer?

Colon cancer is a type of cancer that forms in the colon or rectum. The colon and rectum are part of the large intestine. When healthy cells in the colon or rectum mutate, the cancer can form.

Left unchecked, colon cancer can spread to other parts of the body. There are several screening tests available for colon cancer, including:.

Stool tests
Flexible sigmoidoscopy
Colonoscopy
Computed tomography (CT) colonography

When should women start screening for colon cancer?

The age at which women should start screening for colon cancer depends on their risk factors. In general, women at average risk for colon cancer should start screening at age 50.

Women at higher risk may need to start screening earlier or undergo more frequent screening.

What are the risk factors for colon cancer?

Several factors can increase a woman’s risk for colon cancer:.

Age – The risk of colon cancer increases as a person gets older. Most people diagnosed with colon cancer are over age 50.
Family history – Women with a first-degree relative (parent, sibling, or child) with colon cancer are at higher risk for the disease.
Personal history – Women who have had colon cancer or polyps themselves are at higher risk for developing colon cancer in the future.
Inflammatory bowel disease – Women with inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease) are at higher risk for colon cancer.
Diet – A diet high in red or processed meats and low in fiber can increase the risk for colon cancer.
Sedentary lifestyle – Lack of physical activity can increase the risk for colon cancer.
Obesity – Obesity increases the risk for colon cancer.
Smoking – Smoking can increase the risk for colon cancer.

What if I have no symptoms or risk factors?

If you are at average risk for colon cancer and have no symptoms, it is generally recommended that you start screening at age 50.

However, you should talk to your doctor about your individual risk factors and decide together when to start screening and how often to be screened.

What if I have risk factors?

If you have risk factors for colon cancer, such as a family history of the disease, you may need to start screening earlier and/or undergo more frequent screening.

For example, if you have a first-degree relative who was diagnosed with colon cancer before age 60, you should start screening at age 40 or 10 years before the age at which your relative was diagnosed, whichever is earlier.

What screening tests are available?

There are several screening tests available for colon cancer. Your doctor can help you decide which test is best for you. Some of the most common tests include:.

Stool tests – These tests look for blood or abnormal cells in the stool. Examples include the fecal occult blood test (FOBT) and the fecal immunochemical test (FIT).
Flexible sigmoidoscopy – This test uses a flexible, lighted tube to examine the lower part of the colon.
Colonoscopy – This test uses a longer, flexible, lighted tube to examine the entire colon.
Computed tomography (CT) colonography – This test uses a CT scan to create images of the colon. It is sometimes called a virtual colonoscopy.

Conclusion

Colon cancer is a serious disease that can often be prevented or detected early through screening.

Women at average risk for colon cancer should start screening at age 50, but women with risk factors may need to start screening earlier or undergo more frequent screening. Talk to your doctor about your individual risk factors and decide together when to start screening and how often to be screened.