Colorectal Cancer Screening Saves Lives

More than 130,000 Americans are diagnosed with colorectal cancer every year and nearly 50,000 of them die from the disease. Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in the U.S. after lung cancer. Despite being preventable, more than 30 percent of the adults in this country are not getting screened for colorectal cancer.

The good news is that colorectal cancer has a 90 percent survival rate when it is detected early enough. In fact, gastroenterologists can perform a colonoscopy to detect this disease in a person before they exhibit any symptoms as these highly-trained doctors are able to detect and remove colon polyps that can turn into colon cancer while they perform this procedure.

It is important for every patient to discuss getting screened for colorectal cancer with their primary care physician or gastroenterologist.

The Right Test at the Right Time

There are several ways to get screened for colorectal cancer and colon polyps. Primary care physicians and gastroenterologists can help their patients determine which colorectal cancer screening option is appropriate for them, keeping in mind that the best method varies for everyone based on their unique history and risk factors.

National guidelines recommend that every man and woman should be screened for colorectal cancer as soon as they turn 45 years old — even if they haven’t exhibited or experienced any problems or symptoms.

Patients who have a higher risk of developing colorectal cancer may need to be screened before they turn 45 and/or need more frequent screening. Those who are at higher risk include, but are not limited to, people who have a personal or family history of colorectal cancer, people who have had pre-cancerous polyps removed and people who have a long-standing history of inflammatory bowel disease (i.e., ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease).

Colorectal Cancer Screening Tests

Today’s colorectal cancer screening tests include colonoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy, CT or virtual colonoscopy, fecal immunochemical (FIT) and stool MT-sDNA (Cologuard). It is important to note that a colonoscopy is still required if a stool test or CT scan flags any abnormalities.

Colonoscopy

Colonoscopy is used to detect polyps, which are small growths that develop on the lining of the colon. Removing these polyps significantly reduces a patient’s risk for developing colorectal cancer. During this procedure, the gastroenterologist passes a flexible and slender endoscope tube through the patient’s rectum and into their colon.
The gastroenterologist then examines the colon for polyps or any other abnormalities. If they detect any polyps, they remove them using a small device known as a snare that is passed through the endoscope. Most colorectal cancer can be prevented by removing these polyps.

Flexible Sigmoidoscopy

A flexible sigmoidoscopy is a test that gastroenterologists perform to examine a patient’s rectum and sigmoid colon for signs of colorectal cancer, although this may not be suitable for finding precancerous polyps in other parts of the colon.

CT or Virtual Colonoscopy

CT or virtual colonoscopy uses specialized x-rays and software to create two- and three-dimensional images of the colon that are used to detect colorectal cancer and polyps.

FIT

A fecal immunochemical test (FIT) is used to detect blood that is hidden in a patient’s stool, which can be an early sign of colorectal cancer. This is a convenient and widely-utilized test that people can conduct at home. These tests are normally conducted on an annual basis once a person meets the criteria for colon cancer screening.

MT-sDNA

Multi-target stool DNA (mt-sDNA) or “Cologuard” detects blood and identifies biomarkers in the stool that are associated with colorectal cancer and polyps. This is also a simple, non-invasive stool test that people can conduct at home.

1– ARE YOU AT AVERAGE RISK?

People 45 or older:

Without prior colorectal cancer or polyps

Without any of the factors that define high-risk screening

TEST: Colonoscopy EVERY 10 YEARS

Colonoscopy negative result: The test only needs to be repeated every 10 years.

OR

TEST: Fecal Immunohistochemistry (Stool FIT) EVERY YEAR

OR

TEST: Multi-Target Stool DNA (mt-sDNA) EVERY 3 YEARS

FIT or mt-sDNA screening positive result: A colonoscopy to find the suspected cancer and locate and remove cancerous polyps will be required.

2–DO YOU HAVE SYMPTOMS?

• Rectal bleeding
• Anemia
• Change in bowel habits
• Persistentabdominal pain
• Unintentionalweight loss

APPROPRIATE TEST: Colonoscopy

3–DO YOU HAVE A PERSONAL HISTORY?

• Previously removedpre-cancerouscolorectal polyps
• Previously hadcolorectal cancer

APPROPRIATE TEST: Colonoscopy

4–ARE YOU AT HIGH-RISK?

• Family history of colorectal canceror precancerous polypsin a first degree relative diagnosed before age 60
• Multiple first-degree relatives withcolorectal cancer or precancerouspolyps
• Family history of inherited colorectalcancer syndrome
• Previousdiagnosis of ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease

APPROPRIATE TEST: Colonoscopy

How to Find a Gastroenterologist

Patients who need to get screened for colorectal cancer can visit ASGE.org/FindADoctor to locate an ASGE member gastroenterologist in their community who has received specialized training in these procedures.

About the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE)

Since its founding in 1941, the ASGE has been dedicated to advancing patient care and digestive health by promoting excellence and innovation in gastrointestinal (GI) endoscopy. ASGE physicians have highly specialized training in endoscopic procedures of the digestive tract, including upper GI endoscopy, flexible sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS).

Visit ASGE.org for details on ASGE’s Understanding Colorectal Cancer Screening

Important Reminder: This information is intended only to provide general guidance. It does not provide definitive medical advice. It is very important that you consult your doctor about your specific condition.