Colon cancer screening recommendations shift as disease affects younger adults
‘I don’t know anyone in the world who would prefer to go through the rigors of chemotherapy than to get a screening colonoscopy.’
Dr. James Ouellette
A surgical oncologist with Premier Surgical Oncology
The number of adults under 50 being diagnosed with colon cancer has been on the rise in recent years, propelling a change in the recommended age to screen for the disease.
“The change in the colon cancer screening guidelines began back in 2019, particularly because we were seeing increasing rates of colorectal cancer in younger patients beginning at age 45,” said Dr. James Ouellette, a surgical oncologist with Premier Surgical Oncology. “Traditionally, the initial screening for colorectal cancer had been recommended at age 50. This change was very significant because about 12 percent of patients diagnosed with colon cancer each year are under that age.”
Screening at a younger age allows doctors to detect colon cancer at an early and more treatable stage and enables patients to avoid a diagnosis altogether. Colonoscopy remains the most thorough and effective screening method to identify and remove precancerous polyps. This procedure can detect and remove polyps in a colon before they ever reach a cancerous stage.
“Colonoscopy really is our best tool for cancer detection and prevention for a couple of reasons,” said Ouellette, who practices with Premier Physician Network. “First, the scope allows us to get a clear view of the colon in its entirety. Secondly, from an intervention standpoint, it enables us to detect and remove any polyps which can be submitted for a biopsy if needed. The potential life-saving impact is significant.”
Home testing kits are also available. These tests identify cancer through the detection of blood or DNA in the stool. Ouellette said the at-home tests may be more convenient and less invasive, but they are not as thorough or conclusive as colonoscopy. A colonoscopy is still mandated if an abnormality is found in an at-home test. The process involved in preparing for a colonoscopy may cause many adults to avoid it; however, its benefits are just too important to ignore.
The American Cancer Society reports that colorectal cancer is currently the third leading cause of cancer death among men and women; however, modern screening methods have thankfully made it one of the most preventable of all cancers.
If caught early enough, surgeons may even be able to remove the cancer without any need for further treatment such as chemotherapy or radiation. Cancer that is caught before it has a chance to spread to lymph nodes or any other part of the body can have a tremendous impact upon a person’s long-term health and quality of life.
“I don’t know anyone in the world who would prefer to go through the rigors of chemotherapy than to get a screening colonoscopy,”
Ouellette said. “It’s always best to catch it early so we can remove the polyp or cancer with the least amount of treatment, as opposed to having to do ongoing treatment over many years.”
Age isn’t the only determining factor when considering screening. Early colonoscopy screening is especially recommended for African Americans adults who are at an increased risk for colorectal cancer diagnoses.
“When you look at the data, it shows a 20 percent higher rate of colorectal cancer among the African-American population compared to other ethnicities,” Ouellette said. “There may be a number of causes for this, though it may be potentially due to a lack of access or awareness about earlier screening. In any case, it is vital for us to help spread the word about screening benefits and encourage all populations to take this pre- ventive step.”
For more information about colorectal cancer, or to schedule an appointment with a Premier Physician Network physician near you, visit PremierHealth.com/MakeAnAppointment.