Who should be screened for Colon Cancer?
The American Cancer Society recommends that average-risk adults should begin Colon Cancer screening at the age of 50 years and to continue periodically throughout life. Your doctor may recommend Colon Cancer screening for you prior to age 50. One reason for this earlier recommendation is if your doctor determines that you are at higher than average risk for Colon Cancer. Some of the characteristics of higher risk individuals include: 1) a personal history of polyps or colon cancer in the past; 2) a history of colon cancer or polyps in a family member (first degree relative); and 3) a personal history of inflammatory bowel disease; or 4) a history or suspicion of certain higher risk hereditary conditions [eg. hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer (HNPCC) or familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP)]. For example, if told that a first degree relative (parent, sibling) has a history of polyps, your doctor should recommend colon cancer screening earlier (eg. age 40). The intervals for subsequent
