New guidelines issued by the American Cancer Society Wednesday recommend that colon and rectal cancer screenings should be performed sooner, at age 45, rather than at 50.
- WHO: colorectal cancer 2nd leading cause of death in U.S. for cancers affecting both sexes
- Six test options range from non-invasive to colonoscopies
- Want more information? Visit Cancer.org
The World Health Organization reports colorectal cancer, including colon and rectal cancers, is the second leading cause of death in the U.S. for cancers affecting men and women.
"Over the last decade or so, we’ve noticed a shift in the development of colon cancer patients at an earlier age," said Dr. Mark Friedman, Gastroenterologist at Moffitt Cancer Center.
"We’re seeing a lot more earlier obesity, a lot earlier metabolic syndrome which is the development of diabetes and high blood pressure, high cholesterol," he explained. “We’re seeing a more sedentary lifestyle and we’re continuing to see worse eating habits in younger generations."
Six test options range from non-invasive to colonoscopies.
"They go all the way to your appendix and the large bowel, and on the way back out they can take away polyps and lumps and bumps and a biopsy," said Dr. Gerald Fitzgerald with Fitz Tropics Family Care of the colonoscopy.
Most health insurance covers tests for colorectal cancer screenings, but only after age 50. The American Cancer Society’s website says:
“There’s nothing to stop insurers from covering the tests starting at age 45, and some are likely to do so, but at this time insurers are not required to (and some might not) cover the cost of colorectal cancer screening before age 50.”
Patients are urged to talk with their doctor about any changes in their health.
"If they are noticing changes in their bowel habits, the development of abdominal pain or rectal bleeding, I think they have to report that to a physician sooner rather than assuming that it’s nothing," said Friedman.
Click here to learn more about the new screening guidelines.
Click here to learn more about current legislation governing health insurers' coverage of screenings.