Now is a good time to schedule a colorectal screening

March is National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, an observance dedicated to encouraging patients, survivors and caregivers to share their stories, advocate for colorectal cancer prevention and inform others of the importance of early detection. It’s also a great opportunity to get your recommended screening for colorectal cancer.

UHS Gastroenterologist Ali Marhaba, MD, points out that everyone over the age of 45 should be screened for colon cancer, as it is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. “Colon cancer is referred to as the silent killer. Patients with colon cancer usually experience symptoms when the cancer is relatively advanced,” Dr. Marhaba said. Two out of three people diagnosed with colon cancer have no family history of the disease. However, when caught and addressed early, the five-year survival rate for colon cancer is 90%. “Colon cancer is preventable to a great extent as almost all colon cancers start as a polyp, and removing the polyp prevents the cancer down the line.”

There are several screening options, any one of which can be a true lifesaver. A colonoscopy is widely regarded as the best option and recommended once every 10 years. According to the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force and the American Cancer Society, a colonoscopy can detect pre-cancerous lesions, which can be removed during the screening procedure. Typically, the colonoscopy is performed under sedation, in a hospital or at an outpatient center.

One of Dr. Marhaba’s patients, Debra Place, understands how important colorectal screenings are and has always gotten colonoscopies due to her diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and her family’s history. She found out that she was at increased risk for a disease called Lynch Syndrome, an inherited genetic disorder linked to a higher risk of developing cancer earlier in life. People with this disease are 30 to 74 % more likely to develop colorectal cancer. So, Ms. Place decided to get a genetic test done and tested positive for the Lynch Syndrome gene.

For the past 10 years, she has had a colonoscopy every two years. However, Dr. Marhaba found and removed some polyps last month. “It’s important to get colorectal cancer screenings. The purpose of the screening is to catch anything that might be there in its early stages and save a life,” Ms. Place said. To ensure things are okay, she will undergo another colonoscopy next year. 

This month is a good time to talk with your family members and friends, encouraging them to get tested as well! There are two common alternatives to a colonoscopy: 

• A stool DNA test is an at-home test that requires no prep and is recommended every three years if the previous one was normal.
• Another choice is a fecal immunochemical or fecal occult blood test, recommended yearly, which is another at-home test requiring no prep.

It’s important for everyone to stay up to date with vital health screenings, tests and procedures. A primary care provider or specialist can make a referral for the option that the two of you, together, determine is best for you.

Everybody is different, but most people know their bodies. “Pay attention to symptoms or anything that stands out that may not be right with your body. It could save your life,” Ms. Place said. With the arrival of National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, please have that important conversation with your provider and encourage your loved ones to do so as well. Learn more about UHS Gastroenterology services by clicking here.