Colon cancer is one of the most common and deadly cancers in the US. Thankfully, it is one of the few cancers that can be prevented. And, if caught early, can be treated.
The key to staying healthy is getting screened at the right time – that’s now age 45 for most people, according to the latest guidelines from the U.S. Preventative Taskforce and the American Cancer Society. If you have a personal history of polyps, colon cancer, or family history of colon cancer, you are considered to be at an increased risk for colon cancer and may need to get screened even sooner.
Colonoscopy remains the gold standard for colon cancer screening because it’s the only test that detects and allows for removal of polyps at the same time. If you have a personal history of polyps, colon cancer or family history of colon cancer, colonoscopy is the only recommended test. Talk with your provider about what is right for you and check with your insurance carrier about your coverage.
Click here to learn more about colonoscopies, what to expect, and to schedule your screening appointment.