Colorectal cancer is among the most frequently diagnosed cancers in the United States, so regular screenings for early detection are essential. Colorectal cancer screenings are critical because they increase the chances that, if cancer is present, doctors can fight and treat it in its early stages. Screenings can also prevent cancer in some cases; during a screening, doctors can spot and remove growths inside the colon or rectum (colorectal polyps) before they become cancerous. By having colorectal cancer screenings regularly, people can catch any signs of this deadly disease earlier on and thus reduce their risk significantly.
When should you be screened for colorectal cancer?
Everyone over the age of 45 needs to be screened for colorectal cancer. Other risk factors, such as family history, can also increase your chance of developing colorectal cancer and could mean you need to be screened at an earlier age. If you have any reason to be concerned about your risk for this type of cancer, talk with your doctor about what screenings might be appropriate. Early detection and prevention are key when dealing with this deadly disease, and regular screenings could save your life.
Types of Screenings
Colonoscopies
Colonoscopies are an important part of colorectal cancer screening. During a colonoscopy, a doctor inserts a long, thin tube (endoscope) with a camera on the end into the rectum and advances it through the entire large intestine, providing views of the interior surface of the colon. This enables doctors to identify any polyps or abnormalities in the colon that may need to be removed or biopsied for further testing.
Colonoscopies are generally safe and do not cause much discomfort; patients are typically given sedatives during the procedure to help them relax. Afterward, they may experience abdominal discomfort or cramps, which usually resolve quickly. It is important to remember that having regular colonoscopies can greatly reduce your risk of colorectal cancer by detecting polyps before they have time to become cancerous.
The American Cancer Society recommends that adults at average risk start getting screening colonoscopies at age 45 or earlier, depending on personal and family history. If cancer is found during the first screening colonoscopy, follow-up tests may be suggested. These could include more imaging tests like CT scans or MRI scans, as well as a second colonoscopy after a certain amount of time has passed.
By choosing to get screened for colorectal cancer with a colonoscopy, you can significantly reduce your risk of dying from this disease. Regular screenings can also help detect any signs of cancer in its earliest stages when it is most treatable and curable.
Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
A second type of colorectal screening is a flexible sigmoidoscopy. A flexible sigmoidoscopy is a test for colorectal cancer that can find polyps or other problems in the lower colon and rectum. It is much less invasive than a traditional colonoscopy and does not require sedation. During the procedure, a doctor will use a thin, flexible tube with a camera on the end to look at the interior surface of the rectum and lower colon, enabling them to identify any polyps or other abnormalities.
A flexible sigmoidoscopy typically takes between 5 and 15 minutes and requires minimal preparation. Patients might experience discomfort during insertion of the scope into the rectum, but this sensation usually resolves quickly. If any polyps are identified during the procedure, they may be removed on-site or biopsied for further testing.
The American Cancer Society recommends that people over 50 get screened with a flexible sigmoidoscopy and a colonoscopy every 10 years, depending on personal and family history. People who have certain risk factors related to colorectal cancer, such as obesity or a family history of colorectal cancer, may need more frequent screenings with one or both procedures.
Flexible sigmoidoscopies are an important way to find colorectal cancer early because they let doctors see any changes in the rectum and lower colon that could be signs of precancerous growths or lesions. By catching these signs early on through regular screenings, people can greatly reduce their risk of developing colorectal cancer later down the line.
Virtual Colonoscopy / Computed Tomography Colonography
The third type of screening is a virtual colonoscopy or a computed tomography (CT) colonography. Virtual colonoscopies are a way to use imaging to find and diagnose diseases of the digestive system, like colorectal cancer. Doctors can use this procedure to look at the inside of a patient's colon without doing a traditional colonoscopy, which requires surgery.
A virtual colonoscopy works by using CT or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans to create detailed pictures of the inside of a person’s colon and rectum. These images are then analyzed by a doctor or radiologist, who can look for signs of potential cancer, polyps, inflammation, or other abnormalities. If signs of any of these problems are found, the doctor may order more tests to figure out what's wrong.
Unlike traditional colonoscopies, virtual colonoscopies do not require sedation and typically only take 5–10 minutes. Because this procedure is non-invasive, there is no chance that the patient will get any kind of internal damage or trauma.
Although virtual colonoscopies provide valuable information about the state of one’s gastrointestinal health, they do have some limitations; for instance, they cannot detect polyps smaller than 6 millimeters in diameter, which means that if anything crucial is missed during this examination, it could lead to false reassurance or incorrect diagnoses. Once polyps are bigger than 6 millimeters, doctors know they need to be treated. Virtual colonoscopies can help find larger growths, but they shouldn't be used as the only way to find colorectal cancer in its early stages.
Overall, virtual colonoscopies offer an invaluable tool for helping people monitor their health regularly and can greatly reduce one's chances of developing colorectal cancer if used correctly over time.
Screening Recommendations
People who have any symptoms of colorectal cancer or who have certain risk factors for this disease should talk to their doctor about these things so that the right tests can be done to give them peace of mind about their health. Experts recommend adults with an average risk of colon cancer begin getting screened at 45 years old. For someone of average risk who is 45 years of age, experts recommend a colonoscopy every ten years.
Colorectal cancer screenings for adults of average risk continue until the age of 75 if they are healthy with a life expectancy of 10 years or more. Screenings for those over the age of 85 are not recommended.
Colorectal cancer is a serious and potentially deadly disease, but it can be prevented or treated effectively with early detection. Regular screenings for colorectal cancer are essential for people over the age of 45 (or those under that age who have risk factors), as they increase the chances that any signs of this cancer will be caught in its earliest stages and thus more easily treatable. Colonoscopies, flexible sigmoidoscopies, and virtual colonoscopies are all important tools to help detect potential problems before they become too serious. By taking advantage of these tests at regular intervals according to your doctor's recommendations, you can greatly reduce your risk of developing colorectal cancer or other gastrointestinal diseases. Remember, prevention is always better than cure.
Key Takeaways
Colorectal cancer is a serious and potentially deadly disease, but it can be prevented or treated effectively if detected early. Regular screenings are essential for people over the age of 45 (or those under that age who have risk factors) to increase their chances of detecting any signs of this cancer in its earliest stages and thus more easily treatable. Colonoscopies, flexible sigmoidoscopies and virtual colonoscopies are all important tools to help detect potential problems before they become too serious. By taking advantage of these tests at regular intervals according to your doctor’s recommendations, you can significantly reduce your risk of developing colorectal cancer and other gastrointestinal diseases, as well as increase the chances of successfully treating any existing cancers. Remember, prevention is always better than cure. With early detection, you can save your life. Do not wait to get screened. Talk to your doctor and make sure you are taking the right steps to keep yourself healthy.
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