Colorectal Cancer: Screening is the key to early detection
3/25/2022
By: Dr. Victor Lawrinenko, Gastroenterologist
Men and women approaching age 45 often shudder when their doctor informs them it’s almost time for a screening colonoscopy. But regular screening, beginning at age 45, is the key to preventing colorectal cancer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Excluding skin cancers, colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women in the United States, reports the American Cancer Society. And, when men and women are combined, it’s the second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States.
The good news is that with early detection – through a colonoscopy – the survival rate dramatically increases. If colon cancer is detected before it spreads, the five-year survival rate is about 90 percent, according to the National Cancer Institute, but if not caught before the cancer spreads to other organs, the survival rate dips to about 10 percent.
How Often?
The American Cancer Society recommends that screening for colon cancer should begin at age 45 for both men and women who are of average risk for developing colorectal cancer. Your doctor can advise you about the right time to begin, as well as testing frequency, but industry guidelines suggest that a repeat screening be conducted every 10 years for adults with normal risk. People at higher risk of developing colorectal cancer may need to be tested earlier than age 45 and more frequently, as determined by your doctor.
Depending on your age, a colonoscopy screening may be a covered wellness test under your insurance plan, and most plans cover a colonoscopy completely as a follow-up test or diagnostic tool. Check with your insurance provider and your doctor’s office for help scheduling a screening exam.
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About the Author:
A gastroenterologist with Regional Physician Services, Dr. Victor Lawrinenko is a board-certified gastroenterologist with extensive training in diseases of the digestive tract. Together with his team of professionals, Dr. Lawrinenko is committed to providing the latest, most innovative medical care for the diagnosis and treatment of gastrointestinal and liver disease. To make an appointment with him, visit www.regionalphysicianservices.com or call (573) 778-2600.
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Sources: American Cancer Society and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
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