Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month – Why Screening Tests Matter – Christopher Ottiano, MD

Why Screening Tests Matter  –  by Christopher Ottiano, M.D.

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and it is a great time to think about your health. Heart health often gets the spotlight, but colorectal cancer is also common. It can grow slowly and usually does not cause symptoms at first. That is why getting screened starting at age 45 is so important. Screening tests help find cancer early, and they can even prevent cancer by finding and removing polyps before they turn into something serious.

Research shows that screening saves lives. When colorectal cancer is found early with a test like a colonoscopy, the five-year survival rate is about 91 percent. When it is found late, the rate drops to around 14 percent. A colonoscopy can also reduce death from colorectal cancer by more than 60 percent because doctors can remove polyps during the exam. Screening is one of the best ways to protect your long-term health.

Colorectal cancer is a major public health issue. It is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men and the fourth in women. This year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that about 158,850 new cases will be diagnosed, and more than 55,000 people will die from the disease. These numbers show why regular screening is so important.

One concerning trend is that colorectal cancer is rising in younger adults. Cases in people age 50 and younger increased by almost 3 percent from 2013 to 2022. Among people under 55, death rates have also increased by about 1 percent each year since the mid-2000s.

When to Get Screened

The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends that adults begin screening at age 45, even if they feel healthy and have no family history of colorectal cancer. Adults should continue screening every 10 years through age 75. For people ages 75 to 85, screening should be based on their overall health and past results. The ACS advises that people over age 85 no longer need routine colorectal cancer screening.

Some people may need to start screening before age 45. This includes anyone with:

• A family history of colorectal cancer

• A personal history of inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease)

• Certain genetic conditions
• A history of radiation to the abdomen or pelvic area to treat another cancer

If you aren’t sure when to start, your health care provider can help you choose the right plan.

Your Screening Options

There are several effective ways to get screened:

• Colonoscopy: A doctor checks the entire colon and can remove polyps during the exam. Most people need this test every 10 years.

• Stool-based tests (FIT or gFOBT): These simple tests look for hidden blood or genetic evidence of tumors in the stool. They are done once a year.
• CT colonography or sigmoidoscopy: These are other screening options often done every five years.

The most important thing is to choose a test and get screened. All of these options can help protect your health. The American Cancer society has great information on the various screening methods and recommendations. Visit cancer.org and enter the search term: colorectal cancer guideline.

This month, make your health a priority. Colorectal cancer is common, but it is also highly preventable and very treatable when found early. A screening test is a simple step that can protect your health and may even save your life.

Christopher Ottiano, M.D., is the Medical Director at Neighborhood Health Plan of Rhode Island.

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