Colon cancer is a type of cancer that affects the large intestine (colon) and rectum. It is the third most common cancer in the United States, with about 1 in 23 men and 1 in 25 women developing it at some point in their lifetime.

Fortunately, colon cancer is also one of the most preventable cancers, thanks to early detection and treatment. Here we will discuss when you should start screening for colon cancer.

What is colon cancer screening?

Colon cancer screening is the process of looking for signs of cancer or precancerous polyps in the colon and rectum before symptoms develop. If colon cancer is detected early, when it is still localized in the colon, it is much easier to treat and cure.

Screening tests for colon cancer include:.

Colonoscopy
Fecal occult blood test (FOBT)
Fecal immunochemical test (FIT)
Stool DNA test (SDNA)
Computed tomography colonography (CTC)
Flexible sigmoidoscopy

When should you start screening for colon cancer?

The age at which you should start screening for colon cancer depends on your individual risk factors. The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends that most people start regular colon cancer screening at age 45.

However, if you have a higher risk of colon cancer, you may need to start screening at an earlier age.

People with an average risk of colon cancer

Most people have an average risk of colon cancer, meaning that they have no personal or family history of colon cancer, no history of inflammatory bowel disease, and no genetic conditions that increase their risk of colon cancer.

If you have an average risk of colon cancer, the ACS recommends that you start regular colon cancer screening at age 45.

People with a family history of colon cancer

If you have a first-degree relative (parent, sibling, or child) who has been diagnosed with colon cancer, you have a higher risk of developing colon cancer yourself.

In this case, the ACS recommends that you start colon cancer screening at an earlier age, such as age 40 or 10 years younger than the age at which your relative was diagnosed, whichever comes first.

People with inflammatory bowel disease

If you have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, you have an increased risk of colon cancer.

In this case, your doctor will recommend that you start regular colon cancer screening at an earlier age, typically around 8-10 years after the onset of your IBD.

People with genetic conditions that increase the risk of colon cancer

If you have a genetic condition, such as Lynch syndrome or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), that increases your risk of colon cancer, your doctor will recommend that you start regular colon cancer screening at an even earlier age, such as in your 20s or 30s.

How often should you get screened for colon cancer?

The frequency of colon cancer screening depends on the type of screening test you have and your individual risk factors for colon cancer. The ACS recommends the following screening intervals:.

Colonoscopy every 10 years
FOBT or FIT every year
SDNA every 1 or 3 years
CTC every 5 years

If abnormalities are found during any of these tests, your doctor may recommend more frequent testing.

Conclusion

Colon cancer screening is an important part of maintaining your overall health. The age at which you should start screening for colon cancer depends on your individual risk factors, but most people should start regular colon cancer screening at age 45.

If you have a higher risk of colon cancer, your doctor may recommend that you start screening at an earlier age. By getting screened regularly, you can catch colon cancer early, when it is still treatable, and improve your chances of survival.