06 Mar Colorectal Cancer Screening and Prevention

Colorectal cancer is the second most diagnosed and second leading cause of cancer death in North Dakota for men and women combined.  Colonoscopy screening can not only detect colorectal cancer, but can detect and treat precancerous polyps, helping to prevent colorectal cancer as well.  Regular screening is recommended for everyone age 45 – 75.  Talk to your doctor to set up your screening.

Colorectal cancer is often thought of as a disease that only affects older people. But the face of colorectal cancer is changing. Over the past four decades colorectal cancer has been steadily increasing in young people, and by 2030, it is on track to become the number one cancer killer of people ages 20-49.   Although regular screening starts at 45, you may need to be tested earlier or more often than other people if you have—

• Inflammatory bowel disease
• A personal or family history of colorectal cancer or colorectal polyps.
• A polyp-related genetic syndrome

If you think you are at increased risk for colorectal cancer, be sure to talk to your doctor and formulate a screening plan that’s right for you.  Learn more about colorectal cancer and screening.