Why is it important to screen for colon cancer?
One in eighteen Americans will develop colon cancer. Colon cancer is the number one cancer killer in non-smoking Americans. For all Americans, including those who smoke, colon cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death after lung cancer. Most cases of colon cancer begin with a pre-cancerous growth called a polyp that can be recognized and removed before it has an opportunity to grow in to a cancer. Who should be screened? Anyone 50 years old and older should be offered colorectal cancer screening by means of total colon exam. Individuals with a family history of one or more first degree relatives (parent, sibling, child) with colorectal cancer, or precancerous colorectal polyps are at greater risk. The overall colon cancer risk is three to four times that of the general population. Screening on these persons should be performed by colonoscopy beginning at age 40 or ten years younger than the age at diagnosis of the youngest affected relative. If you have any questions as to whe
